Transversely-activated valve for a therapeutic vaporizer bag attachment system

ABSTRACT

A therapeutic vaporizer inhalation bag attachment system with an integrated valve includes a body having a lumen extending between the two openings of the body, a bag coupling, and a valve positioned within the lumen. A first end of the body may include a mouthpiece and the second end of the body may include bag coupling to attach an inhalation bag. The body may include a plurality of cooling ribs extending in parallel with the lumen along an outer surface of a sidewall of the body. The valve may be a duck-bill valve configured to move between a first position which allows flow of vapor through the lumen in a first direction extending from the first opening to the second opening, and a second position which prevents substantial flow of vapor through the lumen in a second direction from the second opening to the first opening, the valve having two flaps extending within the lumen inwardly from an inner sidewall of the body

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional applicationSer. No. 14/182,945, filed Feb. 18, 2014, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/766,603, filed Feb. 19, 2013, andis a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/823,918, filedMar. 15, 2013, which is a National Phase Application based on andclaiming the benefit of PCT/US2011/052835, filed Sep. 22, 2011, whichclaims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/385,403,filed Sep. 22, 2010, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein byreference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field

The present disclosure relates generally to an apparatus for vaporizinga therapeutic material. More specifically, the present disclosurerelates to a therapeutic vaporizer inhalation bag attachment system withan integrated valve.

Description of the Related Art

Many vaporizer devices are known, and are often used as a therapeuticdevice to provide gaseous, vaporized medications, as an alternative tothe risks associated with the intravenous or oral medications so commonin Western medical practice. Therapeutic devices are growing inpopularity, driven, perhaps, by the recent explosion in costs of medicalcare, and over 1,750 drug recalls reported by the FDA in 2009 alone.

Conventional therapeutic vaporizers typically include a heaterconfigured to vaporize a therapeutic material and form a vaporized gas,and a tube from which a user can inhale the vaporized gas. Somevaporizers are configured to be connected to a vaporizer bag to receivevapors therefrom. Some vaporizer valves can affect flow into such avaporizer bag. However, conventional vaporizers, vaporizer bags, andvaporizer valves suffer from any of a number of drawbacks.Notwithstanding the various efforts in the prior art, there remains aneed for improved therapeutic vaporizers, bags, and valves.

SUMMARY

Some embodiments described herein generally relate to devices forvaporizing therapeutic materials. In some embodiments, the devicesdisclosed herein improve upon or overcome flaws and deficiencies inexisting devices that have been recognized by the instant inventors.Specifically, some existing devices are unsightly, large, cumbersome,inefficient, expensive, and/or difficult to use. Furthermore, somedevices also have limited control of the vaporization process, and thusproduce a poor quality of therapeutic gas. Some conventional devicesalso include bulky accessories attached to the heater unit that canbecome tangled, or if detachable, lost. Some embodiments disclosed anddescribed herein overcome the various drawbacks and deficiencies, forexample, by being simpler to use, while providing a higher qualitytherapeutic gas. Some embodiments herein relate to a bag attachmentsystem that captures the vaporized gas from which the user cansubsequently control the release of the vaporized gas for inhalation.Some embodiments relate to a vaporizer bag attachment system with avalve to control flow of gas to and from a bag. Some embodiments relateto a vaporizer attachment system that includes a transversely-actuatedduck-bill valve. The attachment system can include a unitary,monolithic, compact, rugged design that includes a mouthpiece, body andvalve, in some embodiments, without additional components other than acoupling to connect the body of the system to a bag. The resultingcompact, one-piece design, is comfortable, easy to use, easily cleaned,rugged, and free of additional loose parts that can be. The system canbe durable, resistant to high temperature, resistant to leaking whenattached to a bag, and/or simple and intuitive to operate. Theattachment systems described herein can include a valve thatautomatically closes when removed from a therapeutic vaporizer, butwithout requiring additional, external components to reopen the valveand inhale vapors from a bag attached to the attachment system. Theattachment systems herein include a valve that can be manually opened bya user, including a physically impaired user, without additionalexternal components, such as an external, separate mouthpiece. Theattachment systems which include some components with a simple, unitaryconstruction, reduces production costs, prevents loss of components,reduces replacement costs, and reduces environmental impact.

In one embodiment, a therapeutic vaporizer is provided. The therapeuticvaporizer can include, for example, a housing, a heater, and at leastone accessory-receiving element. The housing can include, for example, afirst housing portion and a second housing portion configured to form aninner cavity. The first and second housing portions may be configured,for example, to movably engage and disengage with respect to each otherbetween a closed and open position, respectively. At least a portion ofthe inner cavity may be enclosed when the first and the second housingportions are in the closed position, for example. The heater can beconfigured, for example, to at least partially vaporize a therapeuticmaterial. The at least one accessory-receiving element may bepositioned, for example, at least partially within the portion of theinner cavity. The accessory-receiving element can be configured, forexample, to receive at least one accessory within the inner cavity whenthe first and second housing portions are in the closed position.

In another embodiment, a therapeutic vaporizer is provided. Thetherapeutic vaporizer can include, for example, a housing, a gas flowdevice, a heating element, and a bowl. The housing may include, forexample, a first housing portion and a second housing portion configuredto form an inner cavity. The first and second housing portions may beconfigured, for example, to movably engage and disengage with respect toeach other between a closed and open position. The heating element canbe configured, for example, to receive and selectively heat a gas flowedfrom the gas flow device. The bowl may include, for example, an inletand an outlet in fluid communication with an inner bowl cavity. Theinner bowl cavity may be configured to receive gas through the inletfrom the heating element, for example. At least one of the first andsecond housing portions may include, for example, a housing channelconfigured to fluidly engage with the bowl outlet when the first andsecond housing portions are in a closed position. The housing channelcan be configured, for example, to fluidly disengage with the bowloutlet when the first and second housing portions are in an openposition.

In yet another embodiment, a therapeutic vaporizer is provided. Thetherapeutic vaporizer can include, for example, a housing, a gas flowdevice, a heater, a bowl, a first temperature sensor, a secondtemperature sensor, and a temperature controller. The gas flow devicemay be contained within the housing, for example. The heater can becontained within the housing, for example. The heater can include, forexample, a chamber and a heating element configured to selectively heata gas flowed from the gas flow device and through the chamber. The bowlmay include, for example, an inner bowl cavity comprising a therapeuticmaterial support, an inlet providing fluid communication between theinner bowl cavity and the chamber, and an outlet providing fluidcommunication from the inner bowl cavity. The first temperature sensormay be configured, for example, to detect a first temperature proximateto or within a portion of the heater. The second temperature sensor maybe configured, for example, to detect a second temperature proximate toor within a fluid pathway formed downstream of the heater. Thetemperature controller can be associated, for example, with the firstand the second temperature sensors and the heating element forcontrolling the temperature of a gas flowed through the bowl cavity.

In yet another embodiment, a method of providing a therapeutic gas isprovided. The method can include, for example, providing a therapeuticvaporizer that can include, for example, a housing and a gas flowdevice, a heater, a first therapeutic material support and a secondtherapeutic material support. At least one of the first and secondmaterial supports can be positioned, for example, at least partiallywithin the housing. The method can include, for example, forming anaromatic therapeutic gas by flowing a gas with the gas flow devicethrough or proximate to a first therapeutic material that is supportedby the first therapeutic material support. The method may include, forexample, forming a vaporized therapeutic gas by one or more of: flowinga gas through the heater to form a heated gas and flowing the heated gasthrough or proximate to a second therapeutic material that is supported,for example, by the second therapeutic material support.

In some embodiments, a therapeutic vaporizer inhalation bag attachmentsystem with an integrated valve is provided. The attachment systemincludes a body, a bag coupling, and a duck-bill valve. The bodycomprises a lumen extending between a first opening at a first end ofthe body and a second opening at a second end of the body. The bagcoupling is configured to attach an inhalation bag to the second end ofthe body. The duck-bill valve is positioned within the lumen andconfigured to move between a first position which allows flow of vaporthrough the lumen in a first direction extending from the first openingto the second opening, and a second position which prevents substantialflow of vapor through the lumen in a second direction from the secondopening to the first opening. The valve comprises two flaps extendingwithin the lumen inwardly from an inner sidewall of the body, wherein adistal end of the flaps form a seal to prevent the substantial flow ofvapor in the second flow direction.

In some embodiments, the flaps extend from the inner sidewall of thebody in the first direction at a non-orthogonal angle. In someembodiments, the non-orthogonal angle comprises an angle greater thanapproximately 10 degrees and less than approximately 80 degrees.

In some embodiments, the valve is configured to move to the firstposition and allow flow in the second direction when a protrusion isextended through the first opening and through the distal end of theflaps and automatically return to the second position when theprotrusion is removed from the first opening. In some embodiments, thebody includes a lip seal extending from an inner wall of the body intothe lumen, the lip seal configured to engage with the protrusion whenthe protrusion is extended through the first opening.

In some embodiments, the body and valve are configured such that thedistal ends of the flaps separate and move the valve from the secondposition to the first position in response to an inwardly transverseforce. In some embodiments, the body and valve are configured such thatthe distal ends of the flaps separate and move the valve from the secondposition to the first position in response to an inwardly transverseforce of between approximately 0.5 and 10 pounds.

In some embodiments, the body and valve comprise a unitary structure anda common material.

In some embodiments, the body and valve comprise a flexible polymer.

In some embodiments, the valve consists essentially of the two flaps.

In some embodiments, the attachment system does not include a spring.

In some embodiments, the first end of the body comprises a mouthpiece.In some embodiments, the mouthpiece comprises at least one of aconcavity or a flange.

In some embodiments, the attachment system further comprises theinhalation bag. In some embodiments, a capacity of the bag is betweenapproximately ⅓ to 2 times the total average lung capacity of an adulthuman.

In some embodiments, at least one of the body and valve comprise amaterial resistant to a temperature of at least approximately 120° C. Insome embodiments, at least one of the body and valve comprise a materialresistant to a temperature of approximately 300° C. or less.

In some embodiments, the attachment system further comprises a magneticattachment portion attached to the first end of the body.

In some embodiments, the attachment system further comprises a pluralityof cooling ribs extending at least partially along an outer surface of asidewall of the body.

In some embodiments, a therapeutic vaporizer is provided that comprisesthe attachment system. In some embodiments, the therapeutic vaporizercomprises a bowl, wherein the bowl comprises a bowl magnetic attachmentportion configured to magnetically attach to a corresponding vaporizermagnetic attachment portion of the vaporizer. In some embodiments, atleast one of the bowl magnetic attachment portion and the vaporizermagnetic attachment portion comprises a high-temperature magneticmaterial. In some embodiments, the attachment system further comprises amagnetic attachment portion attached to the first end of the body andconfigured to magnetically attach to the bowl, wherein magnetic forcebetween the magnetic attachment portion of the bowl and the vaporizermagnetic attachment portion is greater than the magnetic force betweenthe magnetic attachment portion of the attachment system and the bowl.

In some embodiments, a method of using an inhalation bag attachmentsystem for a therapeutic vaporizer is provided. In some embodiments, themethod comprises placing an inhalation bag attachment system in fluidcommunication with an outlet of a therapeutic vaporizer. In someembodiments, the method comprises forming a therapeutic vapor by heatingtherapeutic materials within the therapeutic vaporizer. In someembodiments, the method comprises flowing the therapeutic vapor throughthe outlet and into the inhalation bag attachment system in a firstdirection. In some embodiments, the method comprises removing theinhalation bag attachment system from the outlet, wherein removingcomprises substantially preventing flow through an opening of theinhalation bag attachment system in a second, opposed direction with aduck-bill valve.

In some embodiments, placing the inhalation bag attachment system influid communication with the outlet of the therapeutic vaporizercomprises inserting a protrusion into the valve to open the valve. Insome embodiments, removing comprises disengaging the protrusion from thevalve to close the valve. In some embodiments, inserting the protrusioncomprises engaging the protrusion with a lip seal extending from aninner wall into an inner lumen of the valve.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises applying a transverseforce to the valve to open the valve and allow flow through the valve inboth the first and second directions; and removing the force from thevalve to automatically close the valve to prevent flow through the valvein the second direction.

In some embodiments, placing the inhalation bag attachment system influid communication with the outlet of the vaporizer comprisesmagnetically coupling the opening of the inhalation bag attachmentsystem with the outlet of the vaporizer.

In some embodiments, flowing vapor through the outlet comprises flowingvapor through an outlet of a vaporizer bowl, further comprisingmagnetically coupling the bowl with the vaporizer.

In some embodiments, flowing the therapeutic vapor through the outletinto the inhalation bag attachment system comprises filling aninhalation bag with a capacity between approximately ⅓ to 2 times thetotal average lung capacity of an adult human

In some embodiments, flowing the therapeutic vapor through the outletinto the inhalation bag attachment system comprises flowing atherapeutic vapor at a temperature of at least approximately 120° C.

In some embodiments, flowing the therapeutic vapor through the outletinto the inhalation bag attachment system comprises flowing atherapeutic vapor at a temperature of approximately 300° C. or less.

In some embodiments, the method of using an inhalation bag attachmentsystem can further include attaching the valve to the opening of theinhalation bag, wherein attaching comprises: engaging an inner bagcollar with an outer bag collar, with the bag opening positioned betweenthe two collars to allow fluid communication from the bag openingthrough the two collars; and engaging the two collars with a body,wherein the valve is positioned within a lumen of the body.

In some embodiments, engaging the two collars with the body comprisesinserting the body into the two collars.

The foregoing is a summary and thus contains, by necessity,simplifications, generalization, and omissions of detail; consequently,those skilled in the art will appreciate that the summary isillustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Otheraspects, features, and advantages of the apparatuses, devices and/orprocesses and/or other subject matter described herein will becomeapparent in the teachings set forth herein. The summary is provided tointroduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are furtherdescribed below in the Detailed Description. This summary is notintended to identify key features or essential features of the claimedsubject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determiningthe scope of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects and advantages are described hereinwith reference to drawings of preferred embodiments, which are intendedto illustrate and not to limit the inventions.

FIG. 1A illustrates a side perspective view of an example of anon-limiting embodiment of a therapeutic vaporizer in a closed position.

FIG. 1B illustrates a side perspective view of an example of anon-limiting embodiment of the vaporizer of FIG. 1A in an open position.

FIG. 1C illustrates a side exploded view of an example of a non-limitingembodiment of the vaporizer shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B.

FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of an example of a non-limitingembodiment of the vaporizer shown in FIGS. 1A-1C.

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of an example of a non-limitingembodiment of a lower portion of a vaporizer.

FIG. 4 is a top view of an example of a non-limiting embodiment of alower portion of the vaporizer of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a side-cross sectional view of an example of a non-limitingembodiment of a lower portion of the vaporizer shown in FIGS. 3-4 takenalong line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6A is a side perspective view of an example of a non-limitingembodiment of a bowl for supporting vaporizable material.

FIG. 6B is a side cross-sectional view of an example of a non-limitingembodiment of a bowl of taken along line 6B-6B of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7A is a side view of an example of a non-limiting embodiment of aninhalation bag.

FIGS. 7B and 7C are side views of an example of a non-limitingembodiment of an inhalation bag shown in a rolled and folded position,respectively.

FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of an example of a non-limitingembodiment of an inhalation tube.

FIG. 9 is a plan schematic view of an example of a non-limitingembodiment of a vaporizer.

FIG. 10 is a plan schematic view of an example of a non-limitingembodiment of a gas analysis system.

FIG. 11 is a side schematic view of an example of a non-limitingembodiment of a vaporizer.

FIG. 12 is a side cross-sectional view of an example of a non-limitingembodiment of a heater.

FIG. 13A is a side cross-sectional view of an example of a non-limitingembodiment of a heater.

FIGS. 13B and 13C are side perspective and end views respectively, of anexample of a non-limiting embodiment of a resistive wire heatingelement.

FIG. 14A is a cross-sectional perspective view of an embodiment of anattachment system with a valve for an inhalation bag.

FIGS. 14B-14C are bottom cross-sectional views of an embodiment of theattachment system shown in FIG. 14A.

FIG. 14D is a side cross-sectional exploded view of an embodiment of anattachment system with a valve for an inhalation bag, showing the valvein a closed position.

FIG. 14E is a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of anattachment system with a valve for an inhalation bag, showing the valvein an opened position.

FIGS. 15A-15B are side and perspective cross-sectional views,respectively, of an embodiment of a bowl configured to magneticallyattach to a vaporizer.

FIGS. 15C-15D are perspective views showing an embodiment of a bowlmagnetically decoupled and coupled, respectively, to a portion of atherapeutic vaporizer.

FIGS. 16A-16D are various views of an embodiment of an attachment systemfor an inhalation bag.

FIGS. 17A-17D are various views of an embodiment of an upper tray for avaporizer.

FIG. 18 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method ofusing an inhalation bag attachment system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings,similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless contextdictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in thedetailed description and drawings are not meant to be limiting. Otherembodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here.It will be readily understood that the aspects of the presentdisclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in theFigures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a widevariety of different configurations, all of which are explicitlycontemplated and make part of this disclosure.

As mentioned above, conventional vaporizers are unsightly, large,cumbersome, inefficient, expensive, and difficult to use. Conventionalvaporizers also include bulky accessories attached to the heater unitthat can become tangled, or if detachable, lost. Thus, conventionalvaporizers, and in particular, conventional vaporizers for therapeuticvapor, have not seen widespread acceptance.

The present disclosure provides simple, easy to use vaporizers with avariety of convenient features and therapeutic benefits. Someembodiments provide a vaporizer with a heater, a gas-flow device, andone or more therapeutic material supports configured to support one ormore therapeutic materials. Some embodiments provide a first materialsupport to support an aromatic therapeutic material for aromatherapy,and a second material support to support a vaporizable therapeuticmaterial that can be vaporized by a heated gas to provide vapor therapy.Thus, some embodiments provide both aromatherapy and vapor therapy in asingle device, either simultaneously, or at substantially differenttimes, unlike conventional therapeutic devices which provide eithervapor therapy or aromatherapy, but not both.

As used herein, “vaporization” is defined as the transition of matterfrom a solid or liquid phase into a gaseous or vapor phase, such as therelease of volatiles from a volatile substance. “Vaporization” shouldnot be construed to mean without any additional processes; for example,“vaporization” can include some amount of combustion of matter. Thus,“vapor” is not to be construed as a vaporized gas without suspendedparticles or other contaminants, such as gaseous or particulateemissions from combustion or partial combustion of a material.

The vaporizer can include a housing that forms an inner cavity in whichone or more accessories can be at least partially enclosed or concealedfrom view. For example, two or more housing portions can be providedthat are movable between an open and closed position, for example, toprovide selective access to at least a portion of the inner cavity. Thiscan allow one or more vaporizer accessories to be at least partiallycontained or concealed within the inner cavity (for example, when thevaporizer is closed). Such accessories can include, for example, acontainer (for example, a bowl with a vaporizable material support tosupport vaporizable material), an inhalation tube, and/or an inhalationbag, any of which may be used during vaporization, as described furtherherein. The accessories can be at least partially removable from thevaporizer. This is a departure from conventional vaporizable devices, inwhich accessories generally are not removable, and/or are not capable ofbeing stored with or within the device, and thus become separated fromthe device and lost. Thus, some embodiments of the vaporizers describedherein provide a fully self-contained vaporizer, including one or moreaccessories that can provide both functionality and a desired aesthetic,neither of which are provided in unsightly and less functionalconventional vaporizers.

In some embodiments, the vaporizers can include an optional controllerand/or a user interface to provide additional control over variousaspects of the vaporizer and its processes. For example, a user may wantto control the timing, temperature, pressure, flow rate, and/or otherparameters related to the vaporization and/or aromatherapy that can beprovided by the device. In some embodiments, one or more sensors can beprovided to provide feedback to the user (for example, through the userinterface, for example, for open loop control) and/or to providefeedback to the controller (for example, to provide closed-loop control)for these various parameters of the vaporizer processes (for example,vapor therapy and/or aromatherapy). Sensors can be provided thatmeasure, for example, the flow rate, temperature, density, pressure,etc., of vaporized or non-vaporized gas within the device, or othercomponents of the device itself (for example, the temperature of theheater, therapeutic material support, etc.). Some embodiments provideone or more sensors that quantitatively or qualitatively analyze theconstituents of the gas flowing through the vaporizer (for example, thetherapeutic gas flowing from the therapeutic material support), toimprove the quality of the gas and thus the therapeutic benefits of thevaporizer. In some embodiments, the vaporizers described herein canprovide “metered dose delivery” to control, for example, the amount ofvaporized therapeutic gas to a patient (for example, a prescribed amountof therapeutic gas). The aforementioned aspects of the vaporizersdescribed herein are very different from conventional therapeuticdevices, which provide limited to no control over such processparameters. Some control benefits of embodiments of the vaporizersdescribed herein can include accelerated preheating (less than 30seconds in some embodiments), and improved response time and accuracyduring vaporization.

Although embodiments of the technology have been disclosed in thecontext of certain examples, it will be understood by those skilled inthe art that the present technology may extend beyond the specificallydisclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses ofthe inventions and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. Inaddition, while several variations of the technology have been shown anddescribed in detail, other modifications, which are within the scope ofthe technology, will be readily apparent to those of skill in the artbased upon this disclosure. It is also contemplated that variouscombinations or sub-combinations of the specific features and aspects ofthe embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of thetechnology. It should be understood that various features and aspects ofthe disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for oneanother in order to form varying modes of the disclosed inventions.Additionally, it will be understood that variations in the shapes of thevaporizer and its components described herein can provide a similarfunctional result.

FIG. 1A illustrates a side perspective view of an embodiment of atherapeutic vaporizer 10 in a closed position. FIG. 1B illustrates aside perspective view of an embodiment of the vaporizer 10 of FIG. 1A inan open position. FIG. 1C illustrates a side exploded view of anembodiment of the vaporizer 10 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B.

Referring to FIGS. 1A-1C, the exploded view of FIG. 1C shows that thevaporizer 10 can include a heater 20 and a gas-flow device 30, which canbe configured to selectively heat and/or flow a gas through one or moretherapeutic portions of vaporizer 10. For example, vaporizer 10 canselectively flow gas (for example, heated or non-heated) through a firsttherapeutic material support 40, to provide aromatherapy, and/or asecond therapeutic support attached to a bowl 50, to provide vaportherapy, as will be described in further detail below. It will beunderstood, as used herein, “attach,” “attached to,” “couple,” “coupledto,” or similar terms can mean directly attached or coupled to, orindirectly attached or coupled to (for example, with one or moreintermediary structures), unless otherwise specified. Vaporizer 10 caninclude an optional controller 100 and/or a user interface 110, toprovide additional functionality and control over various aspects ofvaporizer 10.

The vaporizer 10 can include a housing 60 configured to form an innercavity 66. Housing 60 can include one or more portions configured toengage with each other, such as a first (for example, upper) housingportion 62 configured to engage with a second (for example, lower)housing portion 64. Housing portions 62, 64 can comprise any of avariety of structures capable of supporting and/or at least partiallyenclosing at least a portion of one or more components and/oraccessories related to vaporizer 10 within cavity 66. Thus, housingportions 62, 64 are not limited to a shell-like structure (as depictedin the non-limiting example). For example, housing portions 62, 64 caninclude portions with holes, apertures, mesh, caging, or other featuresthat may support, protect, and/or at least partially enclose one or morecomponents of vaporizer 10 there within, or to provide otherfunctionality.

In some embodiments, the housing portions 62, 64 can be configured to bemovable between a closed position (FIG. 1A) and an open position (FIG.1B). Such a configuration can allow at least a portion of the innercavity 66 to be enclosed when the housing portions 62, 64 are in theclosed position. As used herein, “enclosed” can mean partially orcompletely enclosed. “Enclosed” can mean, for example, air or vacuumsealed, or allowing (for example, freely allowing, or selectivelyallowing and restricting) some airflow to and from cavity 66. In someembodiments, “enclosed” can mean, for example, at least partiallyenclosing at least a portion of a component from view within the portionof inner cavity 66, without concealing the portion of the component (forexample, if housing portions 62, 64, and/or one or more intermediarystructures, comprise a substantially transparent or translucentmaterial, or if housing portions 62, 64 comprise insufficient structureto conceal the portion of the component). In some embodiments,“enclosed” can mean, for example, at least partially concealing at leasta portion of a component from view within a portion of inner cavity 66(for example, if housing portions 62, 64 and/or one or more intermediarystructures comprise a substantially opaque material with sufficientstructure to conceal the portion of the component). In some embodiments,“enclosed” can mean, for example, concealing a substantial portion of acomponent from view such that the structure and/or purpose of thecomponent cannot be determined by an individual viewing vaporizer 10 inthe closed position.

The housing portions 62, 64 can be coupled (for example, permanently,semi-permanently, or removably coupled) to each other with one or moreattachment elements, such as a latch, fastener, magnet, clip, button,snap, lock, hook, hook/loop system (for example, Velcro), press fit, andthe like, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the one or moreattachment elements used to couple housing portions 62, 64 can comprisea rotational element or rotational coupling device, such as a hub, lug,bearing, bushing, hinge, pin, ball and pinion, axle, rotational joint,and the like, or combinations thereof, that allows housing portions 62,64 to pivot with respect to each other. In the illustrated embodiment,vaporizer 10 includes a hinge 70 that allows housing portions 62, 64 topivot with respect to each other, and to move between an open and closedposition (see also, for example, FIG. 2).

In some embodiments, vaporizer 10 optionally can include a damper,shock, spring, or similar biasing mechanism 41 supported by at least oneof the first and second housing portions 62, 64 (FIGS. 3-4). The biasingmechanism 41 can be configured to resist motion of the first and secondhousing portions 62, 64 in at least one direction when the first andsecond housing portions 62, 64 are pivoted about the rotatable couplingdevice 70 (FIGS. 1B-1C) between an open and closed position asillustrated in FIGS. 1A-1B.

Vaporizer 10 can include an attachment element to secure (for example,removably secure) housing portions 62, 64 in a closed position, such asa latching element 72 (FIG. 1B). In some embodiments, latch 72 can be alockable latch that implements a key, keypad, or other mechanical orelectronic security device to allow vaporizer 10 to be moved from aclosed (for example, locked) to an open (for example, unlocked)position.

As described above, and referring to FIG. 1C, one or more optionalopenings, such as opening 63, can be extended through housing portions62, 64 to provide additional functionality to vaporizer 10. Opening 63can be configured to allow a user to view and/or operate the userinterface 110 and/or control system 100 when the housing portion 62, 64are in a closed position. In other embodiments, user interface 110and/or control system 100 can be substantially concealed or enclosedwithin a portion of cavity 66 when the housing portions 62, 64 are in aclosed position.

In the illustrated embodiment, for example in FIGS. 1B and 1C, opening63 is configured to receive a portion of an optional light assembly 61.Lighting assembly 61 can comprise a simple lighting element 67, or caninclude an optional control circuit (for example, microchip, controller,etc.) 69 in communication with controller 100, to provide more complexfunctionality. Lighting assembly 61 can include an optional translucentor transparent window or lens 65 configured to prevent damage to theremainder of lighting assembly 61. In some embodiments, lens 65 sealsopening 63. Light assembly 61 can be configured to provide light in anumber of different wavelengths (for example, colors), patterns,frequencies, etc. Light assembly 61 can be controlled with controlcircuit 69 such that lighting element 67 activates and deactivates (forexample, flashes) in various patterns and frequencies. Lighting assembly61 can provide one or more of these various lighting features tovaporizer 10, either for aesthetic purposes (for example, ambientlighting during use of the vaporizer 10 in an open or closed position),or to indicate functionality of an aspect of vaporizer 10. For example,light assembly 61 may be configured to activate lighting element 67 toindicate vaporizer 10 is in use, and deactivate lighting element 67 toindicate vaporizer 10 is not in use. In some embodiments, controlcircuit 69 can include additional or alternative functionality to thatof merely controlling light assembly 61. For example, controller 69 caninclude devices that provide one or more of voice control (for example,with an integrated microphone), motion activation, a touch sensor forexternal touch activation, and/or a wireless transmitter or transceiver,to provide additional functionality for the control of vaporizer 10.

Vaporizer 10 can comprise an optional mezzanine 90 attached to at leastone of the first and second housing portions 62, 64 within a portion ofinner cavity 66. The mezzanine 90 can provide support to one or moreother components of vaporizer 10, such as control system 100 and/or userinterface 110. In some embodiments, the mezzanine 90 can be configuredto divide the interior of housing 10 into two or more cavity sections.For example, referring to FIGS. 1B, 1C, and 2, the mezzanine 90 candivide (for example, partially, or completely divide) the portion of theinner cavity 66 into a first cavity section 66 a and a second cavitysection 66 b. The mezzanine 90 can be configured such that the secondcavity section 66 b is partially or completely concealed from view whenthe first and the second housing portions 62, 64 are in the openposition as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 1B. For example, mezzanine90 can be configured to conceal one or more components, such as theheater 20, control system 100, and/or gas flow device 30, even when thehousing portions 62, 64 is in the open position. In some embodiments,the mezzanine 90 can include one or more openings 91 (FIG. 1C), toprovide viewing and/or access to user interface 110 from a first side ofmezzanine 90, when interface 110 is mounted on an opposed side ofmezzanine 90.

The mezzanine 90 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIGS. 1B,1C and 2, and can be any planar, non-planar, symmetric, asymmetric,regular, or irregular shape suitable to provide the aforementioned atleast partial support and/or at least partial concealment of one or morecomponents of vaporizer 10. The mezzanine 90 can extend across some,most, or substantially the entirety of the length and/or width ofhousing portions 62, 64 and/or cavity 66, and can include similar ordifferent thicknesses across said length and/or width.

Vaporizer 10 can include one or more accessory-receiving elements orportions, such as a tube-receiving element 81, an inhalationbag-receiving element 83, a bowl-receiving element or receptacle 85,and/or other types of accessory-receiving portions as described furtherherein, or known, configured to receive one or more accessories at leastpartially, or completely, within a portion of the inner cavity 66. Asused in this context, “receive” can be defined as at least partiallyattach to (for example, removably or permanently) and/or can be definedas providing a space within a portion of inner cavity 66 within which anaccessory can be stored, with or without partial or complete attachmentof a portion of the accessory to another portion of vaporizer 10. Theaccessory-receiving elements described herein can comprise any of anumber of different sizes and shapes configured to receive any of anumber of different accessories. For example, the accessory-receivingelements can comprise any of the attachment elements described herein orknown in the art for attaching housing portions 62, 64 to each other,but configured to attach an accessory to a portion of vaporizer 10.Alternatively or additionally, the accessory-receiving elements cancomprise a pocket, groove, flap, or other structure that can receive andprovide a defined space within cavity 66 in which an accessory can bestored. The accessory-receiving elements can be positioned anywherewithin cavity 66 suitable for receiving and/or storing an accessory, andare not limited to the illustrated embodiments described herein.

Referring to FIGS. 1B, 1C and 2, in some embodiments, theaccessory-receiving element can comprise an inhalation tube-receivingelement 81 (FIGS. 1B and 2) configured to receive an inhalation tube 82(FIGS. 1C and 8). Without being limited thereto, the tube-receivingelement 81 as depicted is a channel, groove or space with the cavity 66,specifically around at least part of the perimeter of the cavity 66adjacent to the edge of the mezzanine 90. Inhalation tube 82 cancomprise any of a number of shapes and configurations, and generallyincludes a flexible tube-like conduit 82 a and a mouthpiece 82 b,configured to be integrally or separately formed (FIG. 8).

The tube-receiving element 81 can have other shapes and configurations.For example, the tube-receiving element 81 can include any ofaccessory-receiving elements described herein, or otherwise known in theart, suitable for receiving the inhalation tube 82. For example, theinhalation tube 82 can be coiled, folded, compacted, or otherwiseadjusted, to be received by a number of differently-shapedtube-receiving elements. Referring again to FIGS. 1B, 1C and 2, in theillustrated embodiment, the element 81 comprises a groove extending atleast partially around an inner perimeter of at least one of the firstand second housing portions 62, 64. The groove 81 can extend intohousing portions 62, 64; in the illustrated embodiment, the groove 81extends between a portion of the mezzanine 90 and at least one of thefirst and second housing portions 62, 64 (FIGS. 1B and 2).

In some embodiments, the accessory-receiving element can comprise aninhalation bag-receiving element 83 (FIG. 1B) configured to receive aninhalation bag 84 (FIGS. 1B; 7A-7C). Again referring to FIG. 1B, thebag-receiving element 83 can include any of the aforementionedconfigurations of accessory-receiving elements, or otherwise known inthe art, suitable for receiving the bag 84 (shown non-deployed or foldedin FIG. 1B). The bag-receiving element 83 can include, for example, aclip, groove, pocket, flap, or any other suitable structure. Thebag-receiving element 83 can be positioned, for example, proximate to,or attached to, an inner surface of housing portions 62, 64.

Referring briefly to FIGS. 7A-7C, the inhalation bag 84 can be folded(FIG. 7C), rolled (FIG. 7B), or otherwise compacted such that it can bemore easily received by a bag-receiving element of a number of differentshapes. The inhalation bag can comprise any of a number of differentflexible, semi-flexible, or semi-rigid materials suitable to hold a gaswith minimal leakage, including, for example, a heated gas of at leastpartially vaporized material. The inhalation bag 84 can be any of avariety of shapes and configurations suitable to form an inner volume 92for containing a gas. Bag 84 can include a bag opening 93 configured toallow gas to flow into and out of volume 92. In some embodiments, aseparate inlet and outlet can be employed to allow flow into and out ofbag 84, respectively. Opening 93 can include an optional fitting orconnector 94 configured to attach bag 84 to outlet 59 of bowl 50 (forexample, FIGS. 6A, 6B), and to fluidly communicate and receive vaporizedgas there from. Opening 93 and/or connector 94 can also provide amouthpiece for a user (for example, patient) to receive (for example,inhale) vaporized gas contained within bag 84. In some embodiments,connector 94 can include a valve 94 a in fluid communication with theconnector 94, the valve configured to allow selective flow of gas toand/or from the volume or interior 92 of bag 84. In some embodiments,the valve 94 a can be configured to freely allow gas flow into theinterior of the bag 84 from the bowl 50 when the bag 84 is attached tothe bowl outlet, and to restrict gas flow from the bag when the valve 94a is in a quiescent state and the bag is removed from the bowl 50. In apreferred embodiment, connector 94 can include, for example, a one wayvalve, or even more preferably, a duck-bill one-way valve, that allows auser to selectively control gas flow out of bag 84 in a first direction,while allowing substantially free flow of gas into bag 84 in a seconddirection (for example, after exceeding a cracking pressure of the valvein the second direction). In some embodiments, the valve 94 a can beconfigured to freely allow gas flow from the bag 84 when the valve is inan activated state and the bag is removed from the bowl 50. Valve 94 acan be integrally or separately formed with respect to connector 94, andcan extend partially or completely into or through opening 93, or can bepositioned on either side of opening 93 (for example, within an interior92, or exterior to bag 84).

In some embodiments, the accessory-receiving element can be configuredas or can comprise a bowl-receiving element, such as a bowl receptacle85 configured to receive the bowl 50. To more fully understand bowlreceptacle 85, bowl 50 will be described presently.

Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, a container, receptacle, basin, or as usedherein, “bowl” 50, is depicted, which can be used to receive heated gasand vaporize a therapeutic material supported or contained therein. Thebowl 50 can include or be any of many shapes and materials capable ofreceiving, supporting, and/or vaporizing a therapeutic material. Bowl 50can comprise one or more sidewalls, illustrated here as a sidewall 55,extending between an upper end 51 and a lower end 52 of bowl 50. Atleast one of upper end 51 and lower end 52 can be closed (for example,with a separate (for example, removable) or integral cover, cap or lid,such as a lid 120), to form an internal volume or plenum 58 within bowl50. In the illustrative embodiment, the lower end 52 of bowl 50 caninclude a base 54. Base 54 can be positioned anywhere within an innerperimeter of sidewall 55 that forms an internal volume within bowl 50.Upper end 51 and/or lower end 52 can be open or can be closed. In theillustrated embodiment, lower end 52 is open, and comprises an openingor inlet 53, to facilitate the flow of gas into the internal volume ofbowl 50. Inlet 53 can extend through base 54, as shown for illustrativepurposes only, or can extend through another portion of bowl 50. Inlet53 can comprise a single opening, or a plurality of apertures that allowgas to flow there through.

Inlet 53 can be positioned anywhere on bowl 50, such as through anyportion of sidewall 55, base 54, upper end 51 or lower end 52. In someembodiments, an inlet can be provided that extends through a portion oflid 120.

Bowl 50 can include an outlet 59 to facilitate flow of gas from innervolume or plenum 58. Outlet 59 can be configured and positioned similarto that described herein for inlet 53. Preferably, outlet 59 ispositioned on bowl 50, spaced from inlet 53, to allow gas to flow andmix within bowl 50. In the illustrated embodiment, outlet 59 can extendthrough lid 120. Outlet 59 can include a nipple, quick connect, barb,lure, or other type of fitting 59 a, to allow inhalation bag 84,inhalation tube 82, and or an alternative or intermediary structure, tobe connected (for example, removably) thereto. Outlet 59 can include aflow-control device, such as a fixed orifice or other flow restriction,to restrict flow from bowl 50, as described elsewhere herein.

Bowl 50 can include or have, for example, any of many differentcross-sectional shapes, such as an approximately rectangular,elliptical, trapezoidal, circular, or any other regular or irregularshape that forms a hollowed, inner volume when extended longitudinally,to form an inner volume. The inner volume of bowl 50 can be the same ora different shape relative to the overall outer shape formed by theouter surfaces of bowl 50. The vertical longitudinal cross-section ofthe bowl 50 can have approximately straight and parallel sides, orsubstantially non-parallel or tapered portion, for example, to receive aportion of lid 120. The longitudinal cross-section of bowl 50 cancomprise one or more portions along its longitudinal length withdifferent widths or diameters.

Bowl 50 can be, for example, at least partially a rigid, semi-rigid, orsemi-flexible material suitable to hold a therapeutic material andwithstand the temperatures of a vaporization process (such as a processfor vaporizing therapeutic materials), such as metal, glass, ceramic, orplastic. Bowl 50 can include, for example, an opaque, translucent, ortransparent material. It will be understood that bowl 50 at leastpartially can comprise any combination of, and/or can be coated with,one or more of the aforementioned materials.

Lid 120 of bowl 50 can comprise an upper portion 121, lower portion 122,and sidewalls 125 that can be similar in size, shape, and/or function asupper portion 51, lower portion 52, and sidewalls 55 of bowl 50. Lid 120can include a cover 124 from which sidewalls 125 extend. The inlet 53and/or outlet 59 can extend through a portion of lid 120, such as upperportion 121, lower portion 122, sidewalls 125, or cover 124. A portionof lid 120 can be configured to engage (for example, removably) with theremainder of bowl 50, to form a substantially enclosed vaporizationplenum 58. In the illustrated embodiment (for example, in FIG. 6B),lower portion 122 of lid 120 can engage with upper portion 51 to formplenum 58. Such engagement can be provided with any of a number ofattachment mechanisms, such as threads, press fit, or other attachmentmechanisms known or described herein. In the illustrated embodiment, thesidewalls 125 and 55 can include, for example, optionally taperedsections 125 a and 55 a, respectively, to provide some engagement therebetween.

Bowl 50 can include one or more handling members, including varioussurface textures, contoured shapes, and/or insulative structure tofacilitate the handling of bowl 50. In the illustrated embodiment, bowl50 includes one or more handling portions 126 configured to assist inthe handling of bowl 50. Handling portion 126 can include an attachmentportion 127 configured to attach to another portion of bowl 50, such asone or more of sidewalls 55, 125. One or more handles 128 can extendalong an outer portion of bowl 50, such as one or more of an outersurface of sidewalls 55, 125, base 54, or lid 120. In the illustratedembodiment, handles 128 can extend along an outer surface of sidewalls55 and 125, to allow a user to grasp an outer portion of bowl 50.Handles 128 can be separated from one or more of sidewalls 55, 125, base54, and/or lid 120 with a strut 129 or similar structure, to form one ormore gaps 128 a between. Gaps 128 a can provide increased cooling flowto handles 128 (for example, an inner surface facing sidewalls 55, 125),decreasing the temperature of handling portion 126. The temperature ofhandling portion(s) 126 can also be reduced because they are insulatedfrom the heat flow from the bowl, due to the increased thermal pathlength through one or more of the attachment portion 127, strut 129,and/or handles 128, any one or more of which can be constructed of amaterial with low thermal conductivity. Such features can allow a userto grasp and use bowl 50 during or shortly after vaporization withinplenum 58, without discomfort or injury.

In some embodiments, handling portion 126 can include one or moreoptional attachment elements 130 configured to attach lid 120 to theremainder of bowl 50. In the illustrated embodiment, elements 130 cancomprise a tab configured to extend over and engage with a portion ofcover 124 of lid 120. In some embodiments, cover 124 can include anoptional outwardly-extending flange 131 to facilitate said engagement.

Referring to FIG. 6B, the bowl 50 can include a material support 57 withany of a number of different shapes and configurations suitable tosupport a therapeutic material within vaporization plenum 58. Materialsupport 57 can at least partially extend from or at least partially beattached to sidewall 52, base 54, cover 124, sidewalls 125, and/or canbe formed separately or with unitary construction with respect to thesecomponents. Material support 57 can be at least partially solid, and/orcan include one or more apertures, to allow gas to flow there through.Material support 57 can be configured such that gas flows through orproximate to a therapeutic material supported by support 57. When such agas is sufficiently heated by heater 20 (FIGS. 1A-5), the therapeuticmaterial supported by support 57 can be vaporized, as described furtherherein.

Referring to FIG. 6B, bowl 50 optionally can include one or more filters56 configured to filter gas flowing into plenum 58 (for example, throughinlet 53), and/or gas flowing from plenum 58 (for example, from outlet59). The filters 56 can comprise a rigid or semi-rigid screen ormesh-like structure, and/or other filter elements known in the art thatcan filter gas and withstand the vaporization temperatures within bowl50. The filters 56 can be integrally formed with one or more componentsof bowl 50, such as cover 124, base 54, and/or sidewalls 55, 125, or canbe a separate (for example, removable/replaceable) component.

Referring to FIGS. 1B-5, the therapeutic vaporizer 10 includes a bowlreceptacle 85, which for example, can receive or support the bowl 50within the vaporizer apparatus 10. The bowl receptacle 85 can includeany of the accessory-receiving elements described herein, or otherwiseknown in the art, suitable for receiving the bowl 50. Bowl receptacle 85can engage with or attach to (for example, removably) bowl 50 using anyof the attachment elements known or described herein. The bowlreceptacle 85 can be a similar or different shape than the bowl 50described elsewhere herein.

In the illustrated embodiment, the bowl receptacle 85 comprises anopening 86 configured to receive and engage with a portion of bowl 50(for example, lower portion 52). Opening 86 can comprise an openingformed by one or more sidewalls 87 extending longitudinally from theopening to a base 88. Bowl receptacle 85 can engage with bowl 50, forexample, with threads or other engagement elements configured on theinner surface of sidewalls 87 and if desired a corresponding outersurface of sidewalls 55 of bowl 50. Referring to FIG. 5, in someembodiments, sidewalls 87 can comprise a ledge or shoulder 94, on whichbowl 50 can rest when engaged with receptacle 85, forming a lower cavity96 within receptacle 85. An o-ring or other sealing element 95 can bepositioned between bowl 50 and receptacle 85, to provide sealing therebetween.

Referring to FIG. 6A, bowl 50 can include a protrusion, such as a threador rib 132, that extends partially or completely around the lowerportion 52 of the bowl 50. Rib 132 can be configured to engage with acorresponding slot or groove in a corresponding portion of bowlreceptacle 85. In some embodiments, the rib 132 can include a gap 133 inits perimeter around bowl 52, wherein the gap 133 is configured toengage with a corresponding tab 91 (FIGS. 3 and 4) on bowl receptacle85. Gap 133 and tab 91 can facilitate the alignment of bowl 50 withrespect to bowl receptacle 85 during the attachment thereto or removalthere from.

Base 88 (FIG. 5) can be configured to attach the bowl receptacle 85 toat least one of housing portions 62, 64 (or an intermediate structure)in a variety of ways. In some embodiments, bowl receptacle 85 caninclude optional flanges 89 extending from a portion of base 88 and/orsidewalls 87 to facilitate said attachment to housing portions 62, 64.

It will be understood that other types of accessory-receiving elementscan be provided with embodiments of the vaporizers described herein. Forexample, the vaporizers can include an accessory-receiving element, suchas a pocket, cavity, compartment, etc., to receive and store a personalitem unrelated to the vaporizer, such as a credit card, keys, and thelike. In some embodiments, the accessory-receiving element can beconfigured as a pocket, cavity, compartment, etc., that can seal and beheld under a pressure or vacuum with a gas-flow device, such as thoseknown or described herein. For example, a compartment may be to storeone or more therapeutic materials that are not being supported by thetherapeutic support elements, and such a therapeutic material storagecompartment can be held under vacuum to maintain the freshness or shelflife of the material.

Referring to FIGS. 1B, 1C, 2 and 3, vaporizer 10 can include one or moreoptional ribs, fins, cells, arms, and/or other support members,extending through or along some, most, or substantially the entirety oftheir length or width of housing portions 62, 64, to provide additionalsupport to housing portions 62, 64, or components supported by housingportions 62, 64. For example, upper housing portion 62 can include a rib140 extending longitudinally along its inner surface (FIGS. 1B-2). Rib140 can provide support, for example, to housing portion 62, and someoptional components attached thereto, such as light assembly 61 and/orinhalation bag-receiving element 83. For example, lower housing portion64 can include one or more fins 141 to support heater 20 (FIGS. 1C; 3).Alternatively or additionally, one or more of such support members, suchas rib 140 or fins 141, can be configured to provide increasedheat-transfer, insulative, or cooling properties. Fins 141 can providean increased surface area and, thus increased heat transfer, from theheater 20 (FIGS. 1C; 3).

Embodiments of the vaporizers described herein can include one or morevalves or other flow control device (for example, flow regulators,pressure regulators, etc.) to control the flow of gas. For example,inlet 53 and/or outlet 59 of bowl 50 can include a flow controller tocontrol flow from the heater 20 into the bowl 50, for example, to limitdemand on the heater 20 and/or provide a metered dose of vapor.Additionally or alternatively, the inlet and outlet of the heater(s),gas analysis system(s), inhalation tube(s) or bag(s), or other vaporizercomponents known or described herein can include one or more flowcontrol devices. Such flow control devices can be formed separately orintegrally with the vaporizer components with which they control flow.

As mentioned above, vaporizer 10 can selectively flow gas (for example,heated or non-heated) through the first therapeutic material support 40(see, for example, FIGS. 1B and 2), to provide aromatherapy, and/or thesecond therapeutic support 57 (see, for example, FIGS. 2 and 6B)attached to a bowl 50, to provide vapor therapy. Referring to FIGS.1C-5, an example of the fluid flow through the vaporizer 10 can be asfollows:

Gas flow device 30 can comprise any of a variety of devices suitable toreceive a gas, and increase its pressure and/or flow velocity, such as aheater, pump, fan, blower, and the like. Gas flow device 30 can receivegas from a cartridge, or other gas source, or from ambient gas internalto or external to the vaporizer 10. In the illustrated embodiment, gasflow device 10 receives gas through optional inlet ports 37 extendingthrough a portion of housing 60 (FIGS. 1B and 2).

Referring again to one or more of FIGS. 1C-5, an optional shroud ormanifold 31 can reduce the cross sectional flow area from gas flowdevice 30, to accelerate flow velocity and/or increase pressure towardsheater 20. Gas flow device 30 can be directly attached to heater 20.Preferably, gas flow device 30 can be in fluid communication with heater20 through indirect attachment, with one or more intermediarycomponents, to decrease the detrimental effects on gas flow device 30that can be caused by heat produced by heater 20. In some embodiments,an intermediate conduit 33 can provide fluid communication between flowdevice 30 (for example, shroud 31) and an inlet 21 of heater 20, toreduce the heat received by gas flow device 30 (for example, throughbackflow of gas and/or conductive/radiant heat from heater 20). In someembodiments, an additional, one or more optional valves 34 can beconfigured between gas flow device 30 and heater 20 (for example, withinconduit 33, and/or mounted to a portion of heater 20 and/or gas flowdevice 30), to provide further temperature isolation between gas flowdevice 30 and heater 20. Valve 34 can be closed, for example, when gasflow device 30 is not flowing gas, to prevent backflow of heated gasfrom heater 20 into gas flow device 30. Any of a number of types ofvalves 34 can be implemented, although as one non-limiting example abutterfly valve can provide the benefit of selective temperatureisolation without reducing the flow provided by gas flow device 30 whenthe butterfly valve is open.

Gas can flow through the inlet 21 (see, for example, FIG. 5) of heater20, through, across, and/or proximate to a heating element 22 (see, forexample, FIG. 5) of heater 20, and from an outlet 23. The gas flowingthrough heater 20 can be selectively heated, depending on the operationof heating element 22. For example, the gas flowing from gas flow device30 through heater 20 can be heated during vapor therapy, during apreheating step or during aromatherapy. In some embodiments, the gasflowing from gas flow device 30 through heater 20 can be not heatedduring aromatherapy, as described further herein.

The outlet 23 of heater 20 can be in fluid communication with the bowl50, either directly (for example, into the inlet 53 of bowl 50), orthrough one or more intermediate structures. In the illustrativeembodiment, the bowl receptacle 85 is in fluid communication with theoutlet 23 of heater 20 and the bowl 50. For example, an optional inlet35 (FIGS. 3-5) can extend through a portion of the bowl receptacle 85,such as sidewall 87 or base 88, to receive gas from the heater 20. Thebowl receptacle 85 can receive gas directly from outlet 23 of heater 20,or indirectly, through an intermediary conduit 32 positioned betweenheater 20 and receptacle 85.

In some embodiments, an optional bypass, Tee, valve, or other suitablegas flow diversion or control device, such as diverter 161 (FIG. 4) canbe employed to divert some, most, or substantially the entirety of theflow from the heater 20 around bowl 50. Diverter 161 can be employed toallow flow of gas through and from heater 20 (for example, from outlet23) while restricting or eliminating flow through bowl 50. Suchembodiments can allow cooling flow through heater 20 while reducingvaporization of therapeutic material in bowl 50, and thus reducingcosts.

Bowl receptacle 85 can be in fluid communication with bowl 50, when bowl50 is engaged or attached thereto. In the illustrated embodiment, gascan be received into bowl receptacle 85 (for example, within lowercavity 96; FIG. 5), which can fluidly communicate with bowl 50 throughinlet 53 (FIGS. 6A; 6B). As described above, gas can flow through bowl50 from inlet 53 to outlet 59.

The aforementioned gas flow (with the exception of the operation ofheating element 22 to provide heated or unheated gas) can be usedregardless of whether device 10 is being used during vapor therapy orduring aromatherapy. Some non-limiting operational differences accordingto some embodiments between vapor and aromatherapy will be describedpresently:

In some embodiments during vapor therapy, a first (for example,vaporizable) therapeutic material can be supported within bowl 50, andheated gas can flow through or proximate to the therapeutic material,causing the material to at least partially vaporize, and providing avaporized gas of therapeutic material from outlet 59. The vaporized gascan flow from outlet 59 into the lungs of a user (for example, throughthe inhalation tube 82), or can flow into the inhalation bag 83, whichcan later be removed from outlet 59, from which a user can receive vaportherapy. During vapor therapy, the housing portions 62, 64 preferablycan be in an open position, to provide access to outlet 59 and bowl 50.A variety of vaporizable therapeutic materials can be used during vaportherapy, such as any of a variety of herbal remedies (for example,leaves, roots, bark, buds, etc.), synthetic, natural, or other remedies,or combinations thereof. For example, a vaporizable therapeutic materialmight combine a natural material with a synthetic material to provide adesirable therapeutic result. Such remedies can be provided in a varietyof forms, including oils, liquids, gels, solids, powders, in the like,or any combination thereof. Some non-limiting examples of therapeuticmaterials that can be used during vapor therapy can include, forexample, materials derived from sage, clover, mint, rosemary, mallow,mugwort, chamomile, tobacco, willow bark, and combinations of the same.

At least one of housing portions 62, 64 can include one or moreapertures or housing channels 43 extending there through (for example,FIGS. 1A and 2), and configured to fluidly engage and disengage with thebowl outlet 59. For example, the therapeutic support 40 can include oneor more openings, fittings, sleeves, or similar structure, such as aconnector 44, configured to engage and disengage with bowl outlet 59,and provide fluid communication between bowl 50 and housing channel 43.Connector 44 and housing channel 43 can be separately or unitarilyformed. In some non-limiting embodiments, connector 44 (and thus channel43) can be engaged (for example, in fluid communication) with bowloutlet 59, when housings 62, 64 are in a closed position (for example,FIGS. 1A and 2). In some non-limiting embodiments, connector 44 (andthus channel 43) can be disengaged (and thus not in fluid communication)with bowl outlet 59, when housings 62, 64 are in an opened position (forexample, FIG. 1B). Thus, in some embodiments, when housings 62, 64 arein a closed position, fluid can flow from bowl 50, and through orproximate to a second (for example, aromatic) therapeutic materialsupported by the second material support 40, to provide aromatherapy. Avariety of aromatic therapeutic materials can be used duringaromatherapy, such as any of a variety of herbal materials (for example,leaves, roots, bark, buds, etc.), synthetic, natural, or othermaterials, or combinations thereof. For example, a vaporizable aromaticmaterial might combine a natural material with a synthetic material toprovide a desirable aromatic result. Such aromatic materials can beprovided in a variety of forms, including oils, liquids, gels, solids,powders, in the like. Some aromatic materials that can be used duringaromatherapy can include essential oils, incense, perfumes, orcombinations thereof, such as, for example, materials derived fromlavender, chamomile, firs (for example, fir needles), rosemary, cypress,cedarwood, geranium, sage, thyme, oregano, clove, cinnamon, citrus, andthe like.

Second material support 40 can comprise any of a number of differentstructures, such as a tray, basin, receptacle, or other containersuitable to hold an oil, liquid, gel, solid or semi-solid material, orcombinations thereof. In some embodiments, material support 40 caninclude a portion configured to absorb or hold a material (for example,a liquid) in suspension, such as a sponge, cotton pad, and the like.Similar structure can be implemented with first material support 57within bowl 50, described above. In some embodiments, material support40 can comprise an optional movable portion, such as a movable plate ortray 42 (FIGS. 1B; 2) that can move between a load/unload position, tofacilitate access to the tray 42 during loading and unloading oftherapeutic material, and a process position, in which gas can passproximate to or through therapeutic material supported on materialsupport 40. A movable material support 40 can move or extend either toand from an external portion (for example, surface) of one or morehousing portions 62, 64, to allow for external unloading/loading of atherapeutic material, or can move or extend to and from an internalportion (for example, surface) of housing portions 62, 64. Secondmaterial support 40 can be attached to an inner surface of at least oneof housing portions 62, 64, such that support 40 is enclosed withininner cavity 66 when the first and second housing portions are in aclosed position.

Some embodiments of the vaporizers described herein can be configured tofacilitate simultaneous, or separate, vapor therapy and aromatherapy.Additionally, while the embodiments described herein disclose a commonflow path from the gas flow device through the heater and bowl toprovide both aromatherapy and vapor therapy, one or more components ofthe vaporizers described herein can be separate to form a partially orcompletely separate flow path and/or control and operation of thearomatherapy and vapor therapy.

Referring to FIG. 5, the heater 20 can comprise a number of differentconfigurations suitable to heat a gas flowing there through, tofacilitate vaporization of a therapeutic material in bowl 50. The heater20 includes the inlet 21 to receive gas into an internal heater plenumor chamber 24. Gas can flow through the heater chamber 24, proximate to(for example, around) the heating element 22, and from the heater 20through the outlet 23. The heater 20 can include any of a number ofdifferent configurations to its heating element(s), sidewall(s),inlet(s), outlet(s), or other components known or described herein, toprovide radiant, convective and/or conductive heat transfer, to improvethe efficiency of the energy transfer from the heating element(s) to agas flowing through chamber 24.

The heating element 22 can include any of a number of differentconfigurations suitable to provide energy to a gas flowing throughchamber 24. For example, the heating element 22 can comprise a resistivewire, lamp or other thermal lighting element (for example halogen bulb,infrared lamp, glow plug), butane, fixed-aim laser, scanning laser, andthe like. In some embodiments, the heating element 22 can include, forexample, a halogen bulb ranging between 5 W and 250 W, such as a 50 W or100 W halogen bulb. A laser heater can be used in low-powerconfigurations, such as in portable application, because of itsincreased efficiency.

Referring briefly to FIGS. 13A-13C, in some embodiments, the heatingelement can include, for example, a resistive wire 232 comprising, forexample, NiCr, or a similar, suitable resistive heating material. Insome embodiments, the heating element 22 may include a coiled resistivewire. In some embodiments, resistive wire heating elements can beconfigured to provide power within a range, for example, ofapproximately zero up to approximately 2,000 watts, or more narrowly,approximately 50 watts to approximately 1500 watts, or more narrowly,approximately 100 watts to approximately 500 watts. In some embodimentsthe resistive wire heating elements can provide increased speed oramount of heat transfer, through decreased wire diameter, increasednumber of coils, and/or increased wire length than known resistive wireheating elements. For example, some known resistive wire heatingelements simply use a small diameter, short, wire, with low powercapabilities. Other known resistive wire heating elements use thickerdiameter wires, with higher power capabilities, but have correspondinglong response times.

In some embodiments, the resistive wire 232 can be, wound around anelectrically insulating and thermally conducting core 225, such asceramic or porcelain. The thermally conductive core 225 can include oneor more supporting structure(s), such as fins 227 extending laterally(for example, radially) from a strut or other support member 226. Theresistive wire 232 can be attached to core 225 and/or fins 227 in any ofa number of different ways, such as with one or more of the attachmentelements described herein or known. In some non-limiting embodiments,one or more notches 228 can extend into a portion of fins 227, allowingwire 232 to be wrapped or coiled around core 225, and supported with thenotches 228. The heating element 22 can be supported within chamber 24in any of a number of different ways; in the illustrated embodiments,heating element 22 includes a base 229 attached to a sidewall, end cap28 (FIG. 13A; FIG. 5), or other structure of heater 20, allowing theheating element 22 (for example, support member 226 and/or fins 227) toextend within chamber 24. Base 229 can be attached to cap 28 with any ofthe attachment elements described herein; in the illustrated embodimentbase 229 includes apertures 230 configured to receive fasteners 231therethrough. Apertures 230 can also allow passage of the resistive wirethrough base 229, and/or through additional apertures extending throughanother portion of the heater 22, such as cap 28.

Fins 227 can be configured with a shape that can direct gas flow withinchamber 24, for example, to increase turbulence in the gas and increaseconvective heat transfer. Fins 227 can be substantially straight, or canbe a substantial curvilinear shape (for example, to create additionalturbulence, such as a vortex). Fins 227 can include one or moreattachment elements, such as notches 229, to facilitate the attachmentof wire 232 to core 225.

In some embodiments, the heating element 22 can be coated or enclosed bya conductive shroud, such as aluminum, to enhance the heat transfer fromheating element 22 into chamber 24.

In some aspects, a potential challenge in designing a heater 20 within avaporizer housing, is the heater should be able to sufficiently heat thegas flowing there through, to a temperature sufficient for vaporization(for example, downstream, in bowl 50), without transferring an amount ofheat from the external portions of heater 20 that can damage adjacentcomponents (for example, gas flow device 30, controller 100, etc.).

In some embodiments, the heater 20 can comprise one or more sidewallsconfigured to form the heater chamber 24. In some embodiments, theheater 20 can comprise two or more nested or layered sidewalls, orsidewall portions, to form a double-walled design (or triple-walled,quadruple-walled, etc.; see also FIG. 12). In embodiments with two ormore sidewalls, said sidewalls can comprise similar or differentmaterials, with similar or different material properties. For example,the material of one or more sidewalls may be selected for thermallyinsulative, conductive, or heat transfer characteristics, whereas thematerial of the same sidewall, and/or one or more additional sidewallsmay be selected for strength or rigidity. The sidewalls can comprise,for example, metal, plastic, glass, ceramic, liquid, gas, gel or othersuitable materials known or described herein. In some embodiments, thesidewalls (for example, an inner or outer surface) can be coated with amaterial. For example, a coating of material may be selected for itsthermal properties, and/or for being inert to particular vaporizablematerials used in device 10. In a preferred embodiment, a heat-absorbingmaterial is used on the inner surface of chamber 24 is implemented toimprove uniformity of heat transfer there within. Even more preferably,the heat absorbing material comprises anodized aluminum, such asblack-anodized aluminum.

The one or more sidewalls are not limited to a circular cross-section ortubular design, and can be any shape suitable to form an inner chamberor volume, such as those described herein for bowl 50. Additionally,embodiments with two or more sidewalls may be contacting each other, toprovide heat transfer (for example, conductive) there between, or may beconfigured with a gap extending at least partially between portions oftwo adjacent sidewalls, to provide insulative properties. In theillustrated embodiment, the heater 20 comprises a first (for exampleinner) sidewall 25, and a second (for example, outer) sidewall 26, withan insulating gap 27 extending between at least some portions ofsidewalls 25, 26. Gap 27 can be filled with air, or various gases, underpressure, or under vacuum, to vary the thermal insulative and/or heattransfer properties between walls 25, 26. Gap 27 can form an enclosedvolume between walls 25, 26 (for example, FIG. 5). In some embodiments,gas, liquid, powder, or another flowable medium can be flowed betweenthe sidewalls, to provide heat transfer (for example, cooling flow)there between, as described further below (FIGS. 12-13C). Walls 25, 26can comprise any of the materials described generally for the heatersidewalls; in the illustrated embodiment, inner wall 25 comprises athermally conductive metal, such as aluminum, and outer wall 26comprises a thermally insulative material, such as glass. An additionalshroud, shell, or wall, support members, or other structures, cansurround outer wall 26, to provide additional support and prevent damagethereto (for example, in embodiments wherein outer wall 26 comprises afragile material such as glass).

The one or more sidewalls of heater 20 can include one or morestructures extending from, into, through, or along a portion thereof, toprovide increased heat transfer from various portions of heater 20. Forexample, as described above, additional cooling elements or fins 141 canbe in contact with a portion (for example, outer surface) of one or moresidewalls of heater 20, to provide heat transfer there from. In someembodiments, gas can be flowed over the cooling fins 141, to expeditethe heat transfer over cooling fins 141. Such positive cooling flow canbe provided, for example, by diverting a portion of the gas flow fromgas flow device 30, and/or through the use of an optional, second,auxiliary gas flow device 35 (for example, FIG. 3).

FIG. 12 is a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a heater 220,which can be substantially similar to heater 20. Either heater 20 or 220can be employed with any of the embodiments of the vaporizers describedherein, or known in the art. Heater 220 can comprise an optional inlet223 configured to provide cooling flow into, around, and/or through thegap 27 between sidewalls 25, 26, and exit the heater assembly 220 froman outlet opening 224. Such cooling flow can be provided, for example,by diverting a portion of the gas flow from gas flow device 30, and/orthrough the use of an optional, second, auxiliary gas flow device 36(for example, FIG. 3). Outlet opening 224 is optional; in someembodiments, cooling flow can both enter and exit gap 27 from inlet 223(FIG. 13A). Additionally, inlet 223 to the gap 27 and inlet 21 to theheater cavity 24 can be configured with a common flow path into theheater 20 (for example, FIG. 13A), or a separate flow path into theheater (for example, FIG. 12).

Optional additional layers or sidewalls can provide additionalfunctionality to heater 20. For example, as a flexible silica, fiberwrap, or other suitable insulation, or a resilient material can surroundand/or enclose a portion, or substantially the entirety of one or moreof the sidewalls of heater 220 (for example, sidewalls 25, 26). In theillustrated embodiment, a resilient sidewall or layer 221 can provideinsulative properties and/or can comprise a resilient material that canabsorb expansion of sidewall 25 and/or 26, and thus prevent damagethereto. In the illustrated embodiment, an optional additionalinsulative sidewall or layer 231 surrounds one or more of sidewalls 25,26. An additional, optional shroud, clamshell, or sidewall 222, cansurround or enclose sidewalls 25, 26 and the layer 231. In theillustrative embodiment, sidewall 222 comprises a high temperatureplastic, but can comprise any of the materials described generallyherein for heater sidewalls.

As described above, vaporizer 10 can include the optional controller 100and/or the user interface 110, to provide additional functionalityand/or control over various aspects of vaporizer 10. Controller 100 caninclude a memory portion, for example, to save user profiles (recipes)for various vaporization and/or aromatherapy sequences, temperatures,therapeutic materials, and other vaporization preferences. Controller100 and/or user interface 110, and any other components of vaporizer 10that consumer power, can receive such power from an external or internalpower supply, such as a battery 38 (FIG. 3). Battery 38 can bedisposable or rechargeable, such as lithium-ion or other known batteriesin the art. Battery 38 and/or controller 100 can be in communicationwith an external power source, computer system, handheld device, etc.,through a port 39 (FIGS. 2-3). In some embodiments, vaporizer 10 caninclude an internal or external power supply capable of providing powersufficient to supply power to a NiCr wire or other heating element up to1500 Watts, to provide increased heating response, as describedelsewhere herein. Port 39 can provide a power connection, acommunication connection, or both (such as FireWire or USB). The controlsystems and other electronic components of the vaporizers describedherein can also be configured to communicate wirelessly.

In some embodiments, vaporizer 10 can include one or more sensors todetect various parameters that measure, for example, the position, flowrate, temperature, density, pressure, etc., of vaporized ornon-vaporized gas within the device, or other components of the deviceitself (for example, the temperature of the heater, therapeutic materialsupport, etc.). These sensors can be configured to provide feedback tothe user (for example, through the user interface 110, for example, foropen loop control) and/or can provide feedback to the optionalcontroller 100 (for example, to provide closed-loop control) for thesevarious parameters of the vaporizer processes.

For example, vaporizer 10 can include an optional position sensor 73(FIG. 1B) configured to detect whether the first and the second housingportions are in the open or closed position. Position sensor 73 cancomprise a proximity switch (for example, optical), encoder, inductive(for example, non-contact), Hall effect sensor, and other such devices.Position sensor 73 can be positioned anywhere within cavity 66 orattached to various portions of housing 60. In the illustratedembodiment, position sensor 73 is positioned on a portion of housingportions 62, 64 proximate to latch 72. The control system 100 can beassociated with the position sensor 73 and can be configured to controlthe operation of one or more of the gas flow device 30 and the heater 20in response to an output provided by the sensor 73. For example, thecontrol system 100 can be configured to stop operation of at least oneof the gas flow device 30 and the heater 20 in response to an outputfrom the sensor 73 indicating that the first and second housings 62, 64are in the closed position. In some embodiments, the control system 100can include an optional timer configured to stop operation of the atleast one of the gas flow device 30 and the heater 20 after apreselected time period.

In some embodiments, vaporizer 10 can include one or more temperaturesensors to detect one or more temperatures on, within, or proximate to aportion of vaporizer 10. For example, vaporizer can include a firsttemperature sensor 74 configured to detect a first temperature proximateto or within a portion of the heater 20 and/or a second temperaturesensor 75 configured to detect a second temperature proximate to orwithin a fluid pathway formed downstream of the heater (FIGS. 3 and 4).Temperature sensors 74, 75 can comprise a contact (for example,thermocouple, RTD, and the like) or non-contact (for example, pyrometer)type of sensor, or other temperature sensing devices known in the art.

The controller 100 can comprise a temperature controller portionassociated with the first and the second temperature sensors 74, 75, andthe heating element 22 within heater 20 for controlling the temperatureof a gas flowed through the bowl 50 (for example, through, across, orproximate to material support 57). For example, the controller 100 canbe configured to control the operation of the heating element 22 (forexample, activate and deactivate) in response to an output signalreceived from at least one of the first and second temperature sensors74, 75. In some embodiments, the temperature controller 100 can beconfigured to control the operation of the heating element 22 inresponse to an output signal received from both the first and the secondtemperature sensors. In some embodiments, the temperature controller 100can be configured to control the operation of the heating element 22 inresponse to an output received from only one of temperature sensors 74,75, and in some embodiments, only from temperature sensor 75.

Embodiments of the temperature sensors and control system describedherein can allow for increased precision in the control of thetemperature at the target temperature of the therapeutic gas (forexample, proximate to the point of use; for example, proximate to orwithin the bowl and/or therapeutic material support). The embodimentscan allow flow control of the heat reserve upstream of the point of useto bring the point of use to a desired temperature rapidly. Theembodiments can provide dual temperature zones (for example, proximateto each of the temperature sensors) to facilitate additional temperaturecontrol. The heater can be preheated to a safe level (for example priorto therapy) and maintained for a predetermined time when the vaporizeris not vaporizing the vaporizable material (for example, the vaporizeris idle). In embodiments which measure and control a single temperatureset point at the bowl, the heater can deactivate, while gas flowcontinues through the heater and bowl, and continue to vaporize atherapeutic material, until the temperature proximate to the therapeuticmaterial drops below a threshold (for example, below the vaporizationtemperature of the material). In some embodiments, a standby mode can beemployed, in which temperature is decreased to reduce consumption (forexample vaporization) of the material while not being used (for example,inhaled). Algorithms can be produced that can estimate demand and adjustthe heater power accordingly. For example, if there is a large draw onthe heater, the temperature of the bowl may increase rapidly whilereducing the temperature in the heater. In such a scenario, the power ofthe heater can be activated or increased for a time period to minimizethe potential temperature decrease, and catch up with temperature demandif the draw continues. The inverse can also be true; if the bowltemperature is rising, but the heater temperature is substantiallyconstant (or increasing), the power to the heater can be deactivated orreduced if necessary, to decrease bowl temperature.

Sensors 74, 75 can be attached to a variety of portions of vaporizer 10.Sensor 74 can be attached on or proximate to a surface (for example,internal or external) of heater 20. Sensor 75 can be attached on orproximate to a fluid pathway extending through the bowl 50, or throughbowl receptacle 85.

FIG. 9 is a plan schematic view of an embodiment of a vaporizer 210. Insome non-limiting embodiments, the vaporizer 210 can be substantiallysimilar to vaporizer 10, with the following optional differences.Vaporizer 210 can include a gas analysis system 150 configured toquantitatively and/or qualitatively analyze the gas within, ordownstream of bowl 50. Gas analysis system 150 can be integrated intobowl 50 or another portion of vaporizer housing 60 (for example, withincavity 66; for example, FIG. 1B, or other vaporizers described herein),or can be formed and/or positioned downstream of bowl 50 (for example, aseparate component from vaporizer 210; for example FIG. 10, or othervaporizers described herein).

Gas analysis system 150 can include one or more sensors such as thoseknown or described herein, to provide open loop (passive) or closed loop(active) control of various parameters of the gas (for example,vaporized gas) flowing within or downstream of bowl 50. The sensors candetect, for example, temperature, pressure, flow rate, etc. In someembodiments, the sensors can detect gas constituents such as CO, NO,NO2, CO, CO2, O2, etc., to provide feedback, for example, on thevaporization process, and the quality of the vaporized material withinor downstream of bowl 50. For example, it may be desirable to monitorthe amount of CO or other constituents to detect combustion of thevaporizable material, and adjust the heater 20 to improve quality of thevaporized gas. For example, if CO is sensed (indicating combustion isoccurring, instead of higher quality vaporization), the heater 20 may bedeactivated, or its thermal output otherwise decreased. In someembodiments, CO and vapor density are measured in a closed loopautomatic control system, to dynamically optimize (for example, in realtime; continuously or intermittently) for higher density vaporproduction with reduced combustion constituents. In some embodiments,gas analysis system can analyze one or more of these attributes of thevaporized gas to decrease combustion of the vaporizable material whileincreasing the positive/desirable therapeutic material in the vapor. Thesensors can communicate with a control system (either external orinternal to housing 60; for example, control system 100), to performcytometric or other gas analyses, using, for example, spectroscopy, thinlayer chromatography, mass spectrometry, vapor density measurement, andthe like.

In some embodiments, an optional gas inlet 160 can be implemented, toallow additional gas to enter into the vaporized gas flow path prior tovaporized gas being inhaled by a user. Such additional gas can increasethe flow of gas to the user (for example, if the user inhales deeply),while maintaining, or without substantially increasing the gas flowthrough the heater, which can reduce the accuracy and consistency of thetemperature control of the gas through the bowl 50. In this way,optional gas inlet 160 can improve vaporization temperature stabilityand therefore quality of the vaporized gas exiting bowl 50. Gas inlet160 is shown attached to the inhalation tube 82 for illustrativepurposes, but can be attached to or in fluid communication with any of anumber of components positioned downstream of bowl 50 (for example,within the vaporization plenum), such as at or downstream of the outletof the bowl 50, at or downstream of the outlet of the system 150. Gasinlet 160 can comprise any of a number of different structures thatallow free flow, or control the amount of flow into the vaporized gasflow path. For example, gas inlet 160 can comprise a fixed orifice, aflow controller, or a pressure release valve that opens when thepressure or amount of flow within the vaporized gas flow path exceeds apredetermined amount.

FIG. 10 is a plan schematic view of an embodiment of the gas analysissystem 150 shown in FIG. 9 that can be implemented with a vaporizer,such as vaporizer 10 or 210, or others known or described herein, orused independently from a vaporizer, as a portable hand held wand that auser can exhale through. System 150 can include a tube, conduit or otherstructure 151 suitable to flow gas from an inlet 152 to an outlet 153.Inlet 152 can be in communication with (for example, connected to bowloutlet 59) or integrated into bowl 50, or inhalation tube 82 (forexample, FIGS. 1C; 8). Outlet 153 can be in communication directly witha user, or can be connected to a mouthpiece, inhalation tube, orinhalation bag. A transmitter comprising a light source 154, such as acollimated light source (laser), LED, etc., can direct light towards alight guide/diffuser 155, diffracting light across or through a portionof the tube 151, which is viewable through a window 157. The laser mayalso be scanned by controlling the laser output angle, and/orcontrolling its reflected light off of a surface (for example vibratingreflective membrane, Micro-Electrical-Mechanical-System (MEMS)reflective array). The illuminated vaporized gas can be viewed by auser, to determine vaporization quality, and to adjust the vaporizationprocess. Optical surface treatments or coatings can also be used in theviewing region to enhance the appearance and effects of the illuminationprocess.

In some embodiments, system 150 can be controlled to provide spatial orselective illumination, such as with a scanned pattern or a raster scan.Such embodiments can provide patterns created by light source 154, tofacilitate the analysis of the light pattern, and/or to provide anaesthetic appeal (for example, a laser light show, etc.). Gas analysissystem 150 can include a power source, such as those known or describedherein, illustrated as a battery 156, and/or a power switch, illustratedas switch 159.

FIG. 11 is a side schematic view of an embodiment of a vaporizer 310.Vaporizer 310 can be substantially similar to vaporizer 10, with thefollowing non-limiting optional differences. In some embodiments,vaporizer 310 can include an internal outlet 164 that allows gas to exitfrom the gas flow system (for example, gas flow device 30, heater 20,bowl 50, and, in some embodiments, optional analysis system 150) andinto the inner cavity 66 of housing 60. Housing 60 can be substantiallyair and/or vacuum tight, allowing the gas flow device 30 to maintain avacuum or pressure within housing 60 ranging from −14.7 psig to 90 psig,for example. Maintaining a vacuum within housing 60 can maintain thefreshness, or shelf life, of a therapeutic material stored withinvaporizer 310. A release valve 163 can be provided to control gas flowsuch that a user can receive (through manual or electronic actuation ofvalve 163) vaporized gas from an outlet 166 of vaporizer 310. In someembodiments, inner cavity 66 can be filled with pressurized, vaporizedtherapeutic gas, to provide increased volume and flow of therapeutic gasupon release of valve 163, for example, to assist with delivery to apatient with weak lungs.

One or more optional valves 162 can be provided for additional controlof gas flow to and from cavity 66. For example, valve 162 can beconfigured as a release valve (to release vacuum or pressure storedwithin cavity 66, and/or when the pressure or vacuum exceeds a certainamount). For example, valve 162 can provide a selectable inlet to cavity66; for example, valve 162 can allow flow to provide an external gassupply to device 30 when device 30 is providing positive pressure gas,and valve 162 can restrict flow to seal cavity 66 and allow device 30 topump a vacuum within cavity 66. A sensor 164 can be configured to sensevacuum and/or pressure within cavity 66, and in some embodiments,communicate with controller 100 to control various components ofvaporizer 310, similar to the other embodiments of sensors andcontroller 100 described herein.

In some embodiments, housing 60 can be a separate piece mounted onto avaporizer base 160. In such embodiments, one or more components ofvaporizer 310 can be attached to or stored within base 160. For example,one or more of the power source (for example, battery) 38, controller100, and user interface 110 can be attached to or stored within base160. In some embodiments, one or more mechanical attachment and/orelectrical attachment (for example, electrical quick-connect 165) can beincluded, to facilitate attachment and detachment of housing 60 to andfrom base 160.

One or more therapeutic gases can be provided using embodiments of thetherapeutic vaporizers described herein and shown in the figures, usingvarious methods. In an embodiment, a therapeutic gas can be formed usingthe following steps: providing a therapeutic vaporizer that includes ahousing 60 and a gas flow device 30, a heater 20, a first therapeuticmaterial support 40 and a second therapeutic material support 57,wherein at least one of the first and second material support 40, 57 arepositioned at least partially within the housing 60; forming an aromatictherapeutic gas by flowing a gas with the gas flow device 20 through orproximate to a first therapeutic material that is supported by the firsttherapeutic material support 40; forming a vaporized therapeutic gas by:flowing a gas through the heater 20 to form a heated gas and flowing theheated gas through or proximate to a second therapeutic material that issupported by the second therapeutic material support 57; wherein flowingthe gas through the heater 20 to form a heated gas comprises flowing thegas with the gas flow device 30.

In some embodiments, the housing 60 comprises a first housing portion62, 64 and a second housing portion 62, 64 configured to movably engageand disengage with respect to each other between a closed and openposition; wherein the method further comprises detecting whether thefirst and the second housing portions 62, 64 are in the open or closedposition.

In some embodiments, the method further may include controlling theoperation of one or more of the gas flow device 30 and the heater 20 inresponse to the detecting.

In some embodiments, the method further can include sensing a firsttemperature proximate to or within the second therapeutic materialsupport 57; and controlling the operation of the heater 20 in responseto the sensing.

In some embodiments, the method further may include deactivating the gasflow device 30 during said sensing a first temperature and during saidcontrolling the operation of the heater 20.

In some embodiments, the method further can include sensing a secondtemperature proximate to or within a portion of the heater 20; andcontrolling the operation of the heater 20 in response to the sensingthe first temperature and sensing the second temperature.

In some embodiments, the method can include, for example, sensing thefirst temperature and sensing the second temperature occur atsubstantially the same time.

In some embodiments, the method further can include, for example,activating the gas flow device 30 during the sensing the firsttemperature, sensing the second temperature, and during said controllingthe operation of the heater 20.

In some embodiments, the method further can include, for example,pre-heating the heater 20 prior to forming a vaporized therapeutic gas.

In some embodiments, the controlling the operation of the heater 20 caninclude, for example, activating and deactivating the heater 20 with apulse-width modulated signal from a temperature controller 100.

In some embodiments, the forming an aromatic therapeutic gas and forminga vaporized therapeutic gas may occur at approximately the same time.

In some embodiments, the forming an aromatic therapeutic gas and forminga vaporized therapeutic gas can occur at substantially different times.

The following describes additional various embodiments of a vaporizer,or inhalation bags, connectors, bowls, or other features that may beemployed for use with a vaporizer.

FIG. 14A is a cross-sectional perspective view of an embodiment of anattachment system 200 with a valve 210 for an inhalation bag. FIGS.14B-14C are bottom cross-sectional views of an embodiment of theattachment system 200, showing the valve 210 in a closed and openposition, respectively. FIGS. 14D-14E are side cross-sectional views ofan embodiment of the attachment system 200 with valve 210.

Attachment system 200 can be used with bag 84 (FIGS. 7A-7C), or withother inhalation bags. Attachment system 200 can include a body 201 witha lumen 202 allowing flow therethrough. The lumen 202 can extend from afirst opening 202A of the body 201, to a second opening 202B of the body201. The body 201, lumen 202, and openings 202A, 202B can be anysuitable configuration to allow flow through system 200. Openings 202A,202B can be positioned at opposed ends 201A, 201B, respectively, of body201. For example, lumen 202 can comprise a substantially straightchannel, or a curvilinear channel, or can comprise combinations ofstraight and curved channel portions. Openings 202A and 202B can bealigned along a common axis, or offset, or aligned with different axesat an angle with respect to each other. Openings 202A and 202B can bepositioned at opposed ends of the body 201, as shown. Attachment system200 can be employed within or as part of a bag connector, such asconnector 94 (FIGS. 7A-7C), connector 294 (FIGS. 16A-16D), or with otherbag connectors. Attachment system 200 can be integrally or separatelyformed with respect to a bag connector. For example, attachment system200 can be a permanent or removable insert that can be inserted within abag connector. Attachment system 200 can attach to a bag throughadhesive, welding (for example ultrasonic) or other suitable methods. Insome embodiments, attachment system 200 can be configured to be insertedinto, or received by, the opening of a bag, with a sleeve, collar orother bag coupling structure positioned to secure the bag between thesleeve and the attachment system 200, such as the embodiments shown inFIGS. 16A-16D. When attachment system 200 is attached to a bag, and alsoattached to a vaporizer bowl, the bag can fill with vapors. Theattachment system 200 can include a magnetic portion (FIG. 14D),threads, clamps, or other suitable structure to attach to the bowl (forexample, bowl 50; FIGS. 6A, 6B; bowl 250; FIGS. 14E-16C), as describedfurther herein. System 200 can include ribs 205 extending along at leastan outer portion of body 201, for heat transfer, ease of handling and/orto facilitate attachment to a bag. The system 200 (i.e., one or more ofits components) may be made of a flexible material with low thermalconductivity, such as a flexible polymer, such as silicone, tofacilitate thermal isolation from the vaporizing device.

FIGS. 14A-14E illustrate an embodiment of attachment system 200 thatincludes valve 210. Valve 210 can be positioned within lumen 202. Valve210 can function substantially similar to valve 94 a described herein(FIG. 7C). Any suitable valve that allows flow of vapor in one directionand prevents substantial flow of vapor in the opposite direction can beused. Valve 210 can be separately formed, or a unitary construction(integrally formed), with respect to body 201. Valve 210 can be anysuitable configuration to allow vapors to flow into a bag attached tosystem 200, when system 200 is attached to a vaporizer. Valve 210 can beany suitable configuration to prevent the vapors from escaping the bagwhen system 200 and a bag attached thereto are removed from a vaporizer.In some embodiments, valve 210 can include two flaps that form aduck-bill valve. Valve 210 can include only two flaps 211, 212, withoutadditional flaps. In some embodiments, one of flaps 211, 212 can beintegrally formed without substantially extending from a sidewall oflumen 202, and without substantial movement, such that the other offlaps 211, 212 extends from the sidewall and moves to open and close thevalve.

Valve 210 can comprise a check valve (for example, one-way valve)configured to move between a first open position which allows flow ofvapor through the lumen in a first direction 901 (FIG. 14A) extendingfrom the opening 202A to the opening 202B of the body 201, and a secondclosed position which prevents substantial flow of vapor through thelumen in a second direction 902 from the opening 202B to the firstopening 202A of the body 201. For example, valve 210 can be configuredto open and allow flow of vapor in the first direction 901, when opening202A has a pressure greater than the pressure at opening 202B (forexample, after exceeding a cracking pressure of the valve). Valve 210can be configured to close and prevent substantial flow of vapor fromopening 202B to 202A, and escaping the bag, when opening 202A has apressure lower than or equal to the pressure at opening 202B (forexample, lower than a cracking pressure of the valve, such as when thevapor source stops supplying vapor to the bag, or when the bag isdisconnected from the vapor source). In some embodiments, the crackingpressure of the valve can correspond to the output of vapor from atherapeutic vaporizer, which may be lower than some applications, orapproximately 0.5 to 20 psi. In some embodiments, the cracking pressureof the valve can correspond to the output of vapor from a therapeuticvaporizer, which may be lower than some applications, or approximately 1to 10 psi.

In some embodiments, valve 210 can comprise a selective valve, such as aselective check valve, which allows flow in the first direction 901 andselectively prevents flow in the second direction 902 (FIG. 14A). Forexample, valve 210 can be configured to selectively open and close inresponse to extending a protrusion to and from lumen 202, respectively,within opening 202A. When a protrusion is extended into and received byvalve 210 (for example, through the first opening 202A and into lumen201), valve 210 can open and allow flow in both directions 901, 902. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 14E, when a protrusion 270 is inserted intothe valve 210 through the first opening of the body, the valve can moveto the first position and allow flow in the second direction. Protrusion270 can comprise any suitable device to allow insertion into valve 210,such as a tube. In some embodiments, protrusion 270 can comprise aportion of a vaporizer bowl, such as fitting 59 a (FIGS. 6A/6B;15A/15B). Valve 210 can be configured such that when protrusion 270 isremoved from valve 210 (for example, from opening 202A), the valve 210automatically returns to the closed position, for example, withoutadditional external forces. Thus, removing the protrusion canautomatically close the valve and prevent flow through the valve indirection 902.

Referring to FIGS. 14B and 14C, valve 210 can also be configured toselectively open and close in response to applying and removing anexternal force, such as a transverse force, on body 202. For example,when attachment system 200 is removed from a vapor source, and without aprotrusion extending into valve 210 or other external forces beingapplied to valve 210, flow is prevented from the bag in direction 902(FIG. 14A) as described above. However, valve 210 is configured suchthat if squeezed, and subject to a force, such as a transverse force asshown by directional arrows 900, flaps 211 and 212 spread apart, openingvalve 210 and allowing vapors to travel through valve 210 from the bag.The transverse force can be approximately aligned with the edge ofcontact between flaps 211 and 212. Valve 210 can be configured such thatwhen an external force is removed from body 202, the valve 210automatically returns to the closed position, for example, withoutadditional external forces. Thus, removing the force can automaticallyclose the valve and prevent flow through the valve in direction 902.

Flaps 211, 212 can extend within the lumen 202 inwardly from the innersidewall of the body 201. The distal ends of the flaps 211 and 212 canform a seal to prevent the substantial flow of vapor in the second flowdirection 902. Flaps 211, 212 can be oriented at an angle with respectto each other, to form an apex that can move, to allow and disallowcontact between the ends of flaps 211, 212. In some embodiment, aportion of the apex can be attached, for example, proximate to the innersidewall of body 201. As best shown in FIG. 14D, the flaps 211 and 212of the valve can form an angle α with the inner sidewall of the body201. A smaller angle α can allow the flaps 211, 212 to more easily open(for example, during insertion of protrusion 270 through opening 202A,as described above), but a larger angle α can allow the use of flapswith shorter length and reduce the overall footprint of the valve.Therefore, the range of the angle α can be selected to balance theseopposing factors and affect the functionality of the valve. In addition,the range of the angle α can also depend on the configuration and thematerial of the valve. If the flaps are too short or the angle α is toolarge, or if the valve material is too soft or thin, the vapor pressureinside the bag can push open the valve and allow the vapor to flow inthe second flow direction 902 and thus defeating the purpose of thevalve. If the flaps are positioned too close to the inner wall and theangle α is too small, the valve may not seal when the back pressure ofthe vapor inside the bag is low. The flaps can be pre-loaded orpre-formed with a bias against each other when in a quiescent state, tokeep the valve closed through hysteresis when there is approximately nopressure drop across the flaps (across openings 202A and 202B). In someembodiments, the flaps extend from the inner sidewall of the body in thefirst direction at a non-orthogonal angle α. In some embodiments, theangle α can be in the range of approximately 10 degrees to approximately80 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle α can be in the range ofapproximately 20 degrees to approximately 60 degrees. In someembodiments, the angle α can be in the range of approximately 25 degreesto approximately 55 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle α can be inthe range of approximately 30 degrees to approximately 50 degrees. Insome embodiments, the angle α can be in the range of approximately 30degrees to approximately 45 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle αcan be in the range of approximately 35 degrees to approximately 45degrees. In some embodiments, the angle α can be in the range ofapproximately 35 degrees to approximately 40 degrees. In someembodiments, the angle α can be in the range of approximately 37 degreesto approximately 42 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle α can be inthe range of approximately 20 degrees to approximately 60 degrees. Insome embodiments, the angle α an angle greater than approximately 37degrees and less than approximately 40 degrees. In some embodiments, theangle α can be approximately 37 degrees. In some embodiments, the angleα can be approximately 38 degrees.

The attachment system 200 and its components can be made of anymaterials or any configurations suitable for easy use, manufacture,and/or within the context of chemistries and temperatures forvaporization of a therapeutic material. For example, two or more of thecomponents of system 200, such as the valve 210 and the body 201, cancomprise a common material. In some embodiments, two or more of thecomponents of system 200, such as the body and/or the valve can comprisesilicone materials. The valve 210 and body 201 can be made of anymaterials with sufficient strength, flexibility, and elastic propertiessuitable to allow an average adult human user to transversely displacethe body and valve to open the distal end of the flaps and move thevalve from the second position to the first position, as describedabove.

In some embodiments, the valve 210 and body 201 can be configured suchthat the valve 210 can be opened in response to a low transverse force,such as that of a human with a reduced physical capacity. For example,in some embodiments, the body 201 and valve 210 are configured such thatthe distal ends of the flaps separate and move the valve from the secondposition to the first position in response to a transverse force ofbetween approximately 0.5 and 10 pounds, and in some embodiments, as lowas approximately 0.5 pound. In some embodiments, the body 201 and valve210 are configured such that the distal ends of the flaps separate andmove the valve from the second position to the first position inresponse to a transverse force of between approximately 1 and 10 pounds.In some embodiments, the body 201 and valve 210 are configured such thatthe distal ends of the flaps separate and move the valve from the secondposition to the first position in response to a transverse force ofbetween approximately 1 and 5 pounds. The use of flexible materials (forexample, a flexible polymer falling between approximately 15-70 Shore Ahardness) can facilitate such lower valve actuation forces. In someembodiments, the valve 210 includes a simple, easy to use structure,without any components (such as a spring), other than flaps 211, 212extending from body 201, allowing the valve to be opened and closedeasily and without additional complexity.

The attachment system 200 can include one or more of a number ofdifferent structures to provide additional functionality. For example,body 201 can include a ridge 219 (FIGS. 14D and 14E) extending from aninner wall of body 201 and into lumen 202. Ridge 219 can be near theopening 202A. Ridge 219 can form an inner perimeter (for example, acircular perimeter) extending within lumen 202 from the inner wall ofbody 201. The ridge can form a ring or other circular shape, or anyother suitable shape. The ridge can improve engagement between, and insome embodiments, seal against, body 201 and another component, such asa protrusion extended into lumen 202A. As such, an engagement elementprotruding from the inner wall of body 201, such as ridge 219, can forma lip seal between body 201 and a protrusion inserted into lumen 202A.The ridge can reduce the amount of heat transferred from anothercomponent, such as the protrusion, to the body 201 or the valve 210.Such structure can reduce wear and increase the life expectancy of theattachment system 200. Ridge 219 can have any cross sectional shape thatextends into lumen 202A and suitable to engage with a protrusioninserted therein.

The body 201 can include a plurality of spaced ribs 205, as mentionedabove, extending at least partially along an outer surface of the body.The ribs can provide ease of handling of body 201 and/or facilitateattachment of system 200 to a bag, and/or cool the ribs by reducing theamount of heat transferred from the body 201 to a user. The ribs 205 canextend partially along the outer portion of the body 201 as shown inFIG. 14A. In some embodiments, ribs 205 a can extend fully along theouter portion of the body 201 as shown in FIG. 14D. The ribs can bespaced evenly, or unevenly, around some, or substantially the entiretyof a length or outer perimeter of body 201.

The attachment system 200 can include an inhalation bag, such as thosebags described elsewhere herein. The bags herein, including thatimplemented with system 200, can have any capacity suitable to storetherapeutic vapor for human inhalation. In some embodiments, thecapacity of the bag is at least approximately the average tidal lungvolume of an adult human of approximately 0.5 liters. In someembodiments, the capacity of the bag is between approximately 0.9 and 2times the average tidal lung volume of an adult human. In someembodiments, the capacity of the bag is at least the average vital lungcapacity of an adult human (which is approximately 4.6 liters). In someembodiments, the capacity of the bag is at least the average total lungcapacity of an adult human. The average total lung capacity of an adulthuman is the average vital lung capacity (of approximately 4.6 liters)plus the average residual lung capacity that remains in the lungs aftereach exhale (which is approximately 1.2 liters), for an average totallung capacity of approximately 6 liters. In some embodiments, the volumeof the bag falls in a range of approximately ⅓ to 2 times the total lungcapacity. For a greater number of users, the bag can be sized with aninner volume of ½ liter to 24 liters.

Components of the attachment system (or other components of thevaporizers described herein) can comprise heat-resistant materials ratedto operate reliably within boundaries of temperatures of a vaporizationprocess for vaporizing therapeutic materials. For example, avaporization process for vaporizing therapeutic materials may operate intemperatures approaching temperatures as low as approximately roomtemperature ° C. and as high as approximately 300° C. A vaporizationprocess for vaporizing therapeutic materials may operate at atemperature as high as approximately 300° C., or less. In someembodiments, the vaporization process for vaporizing therapeuticmaterials may operate at a temperature as high as approximately 260° C.,or less. Some vaporization processes for vaporizing therapeuticmaterials may operate in temperatures of at least approximately 260° C.In some embodiments, the vaporization processes for vaporizingtherapeutic materials may operate in temperatures of at leastapproximately 200° C. Some vaporization processes for vaporizingtherapeutic materials may operate in temperatures of at leastapproximately 120° C. Thus any of the components of the vaporizers (andattachment systems, and other components) described herein can comprisematerials suitable to operate within these ranges. In some embodiments,one or more components that are in contact with the therapeutic vapor,including the body, coupling, valve and/or bag, can comprise materialsthat are heat-resistant within one or more of these temperature ranges.For example, at least one of the body, coupling, valve and bag cancomprise a material resistant to a temperature of at least approximately120 C. For example, at least one of the body, coupling, valve and bagcan comprise a material resistant to a temperature of at leastapproximately 200 C. In some embodiments, at least one of the body,coupling, valve and bag can comprise a material resistant to atemperature of approximately 300° C. or less. In some embodiments, atleast one of the body, coupling, valve and bag can comprise a materialresistant to a temperature of approximately 260° C. or less. In someembodiments, at least one of the body, coupling, valve and bag cancomprise a material resistant to a temperature of approximately 250° C.or less. In some embodiments, at least one of the body, coupling, valveand bag can comprise a material resistant to a temperature ofapproximately 200° C. or less. In some embodiments, at least one of thebody, coupling, valve and bag can comprise a material resistant tooperating within a temperature range of between approximately 100° C.and 300° C. In some embodiments, at least one of the body, coupling,valve, and bag are made of materials selected from the group consistingof silicone rubber, polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) plastic, polyethylenesulfone (PES) film, polyether imide (PEI) plastic, polysulfone (PSF)plastic, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) plastic, polyarylate (PAR) plastic,aramide plastic, liquid crystal polymer (LCP) plastic, hemp fiber, andany combinations thereof. In some embodiments, at least one of the body,coupling, valve, and bag are made of silicone rubber. In someembodiments, at least one of the body, coupling, and valve are made of aflexible polymer, such as rubber, and in some embodiments, a hightemperature flexible polymer, such as silicone rubber.

In some embodiments, the apparatus 200 can include a magnetic attachmentportion 253 to couple the body 201 with an external device, such as anoutlet of a therapeutic vaporizer (for example, a bowl). Any of themagnetic attachment portions described herein can be a magnetic material(i.e. a magnetized material, or magnet), or a magnetically attractivematerial (i.e., a material that can be, but is not necessarilymagnetized, and can be attracted to a magnet) configured to engage witha corresponding magnetic attachment portion on another component.Portion 253 can allow for apparatus 200 to easily be attached to anddetached from another device, such as a bowl of a therapeutic vaporizer.Such ease of attachment can be beneficial for users with diminishedphysical capacity. In some embodiments, the magnetic attachment portion253 can be attached to first end 201A of body 201. The magneticattachment portion 253 can be attached to body 201 in any suitable way,such as with adhesive (for example, high temperature adhesive, such asepoxy (such as the epoxy sold under the tradename JB Weld) and resin.The magnetic attachment portion 253 can also be applied onto or inconjunction with the body 201, Portion 253 can be integrally formed (forexample, molded with) body 201. For example, a high temperature plasticor rubber can be molded around a magnetic material portion 253. Portion253 can be attached to an exterior portion of body 201, or can beattached within an internal portion of body 201. For example, portion253 can be partially or completely molded within body 201. For example,portion 253 can be completely molded within body 201 such that portion253 does not have any direct contact with components external to body201. The magnetic attachment portion 253 can be made of any suitablemagnetic material or magnetically attractive material describedelsewhere herein. The magnetic attachment portion 253, and othermagnetic attachment portions described herein can be a magnetic ornon-magnetic material, with a coating layer made of magnetic material ormagnetically attractive material. The magnetic material can be anymaterial suitable to maintain magnetic attraction at highertemperatures, such as within temperatures of vaporization of atherapeutic material. For example, the magnetic material can be ceramic,samarium cobalt, or neodymium. The magnetic material can compriserare-earth magnetic materials, which will retain a serviceablepercentage of their attractiveness when exposed to higher temperatures,such as vaporization temperatures.

FIGS. 14D and 14E show an embodiment of attachment system 200. System200 can include a bag coupling 260. Bag coupling 260 can attach the body201, such as the second end 201B, to inhalation bag 84 (FIGS. 1B; 7A-7C;14E). The bag coupling 260 can be easily removed from the body 201 ofthe attachment system 200. The bag coupling 260 can also be permanentlyattached to the body 201 of the attachment system 200. Any suitablecoupling mechanism can be used between the bag coupling 260 and the body201 to prevent gas leakage when the inhalation bag is attached to thebody using the bag coupling. The bag coupling, once assembled, can beeither inserted inside the lumen of the body 201 as shown in FIG. 14F orextended around the body 201 like a sleeve as shown in FIGS. 16A-16D.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 14D and 14E, the bag coupling 260 caninclude an inner bag collar 214 and an outer bag collar 215. The innerbag collar 214 can be configured to be inserted into an opening 93 of aninhalation bag 84 (see, for example, FIGS. 7A and 14E). The outer bagcollar 215 can be configured to receive the inner bag collar 214, withthe inhalation bag 84 positioned between the inner bag collar 214 andouter bag collar 215. The inner bag collar 214 and outer bag collar 215can be configured to be inserted into and form a seal with an innersurface of a sidewall of the body 201, as shown in FIG. 14E. In someembodiments, at least one, and in some embodiments, both, of the innerbag collar 214 and the outer bag collar 215 can include radiallyextending engagement elements configured to engage with and improvesealing and/or attachment between coupling 260 and body 201. Theseengagement elements can comprise flanges, barbs, grooves, or othersuitable engagement means. For example, as shown in FIGS. 14D and 14E,the outer bag collar 215 has an external barb 218 fitted to engage withbody 201. The inner bag collar 214 includes a barb 217 and a flange 216extending around its lower and upper ends, respectively, to couple withthe outer bag collar 215. In some embodiments, the body 201 can includea corresponding engagement element to actively engage with correspondingengagement elements on collars 214, 215. For example, the body 201 caninclude a groove, shoulder or other structure, such as groove 207,configured to receive and engage with barb 218. Other types of couplingmechanisms may also be utilized. For example, the inner bag collar maybe frictionally held within the outer bag collar, due to the passivetension of the slightly compressed inner bag collar walls exertedagainst the outer bag collar. The bag coupling can comprise an inner bagcollar and an outer bag collar. The inner bag collar can be configuredto be inserted into the opening of the inhalation bag, with the outerbag collar configured to receive the inner bag collar. The inhalationbag can be positioned between the inner bag collar and outer bag collar.The inner bag collar and outer bag collar can be configured to beinserted into and form a seal with an inner surface of a sidewall of thebody. At least one of the inner bag collar and the outer bag collar caninclude radially extending engagement elements configured to engage withthe inner surface.

When the bag coupling 260 is assembled together with the inhalation bagplaced between the two collars 214 and 215, the bag coupling can beinserted into the body 201 as shown in FIG. 14E. Gas or vapor flowingthrough the body 201 can flow into the inhalation bag 84 withoutsubstantial leakage.

The bag coupling 260 can comprise any of the materials described abovefor the valve and body. Parts of the attachment system that are incontact with the therapeutic vapor, including the body, coupling, valveand bag, can be made of materials resistant to chemicals. In someembodiments, one or more components of the vaporizer or attachmentssystem described herein, such as at least one of the body, coupling,valve and the bag, comprises a material, such as silicon, that ischemically resistant to a vapor formed from a vaporizable therapeuticmaterial, and/or other materials.

In some embodiments, a lower surface of the first end 201A of body 201can include a concavity 209, to facilitate engagement or sealing with avaporizer bowl, and/or to conform with and provide comfort to a user ofsystem 200. First end 201A can also include a flange extendingtherefrom. The lower surface of the first end 201A of body 201 and/orthe flange can form a mouthpiece, providing similar function asmouthpiece 82 b, described here with respect to inhalation tube 82 (FIG.8). Thus, the attachment system 200 can comprise a unitary, monolithicconstruction that forms a valve, body, and mouthpiece, while beingconfigured to receive an inhalation bag, without any additionalcomponents, other than a bag coupling to connect a bag to the body 201of the system 200.

The attachment system described herein provides a user friendly andsimply way to affix an inhalation bag to the vaporizer device. Theattachment systems described herein may have fewer components, improvingease of assembly with reduced cost of manufacturing. Reduced alignmentof components may be needed in the assembly process and the system canstay in place until intentionally dissembled. The valve in theattachment system can be easily opened by applying a reduced squeezeforce around the outer opening of the valve or by inserting a protrusioninto the valve; and the valve can automatically close once the squeezingforce is removed or the protrusion is no longer present in the valve.The use of magnetic attractive components in the attachment systemfurther increases the ease of use and provides additional conveniencesto users, particularly to users with dexterity problems.

In addition, the use of heat-resistant material in the attachment systemcan reduce expansion or contraction of the system during temperaturechanges. Thus, various parts of the system can remain stable and have areduced likelihood of loosening in the vaporization temperature valuesand ranges for therapeutic materials. Moreover, the inhalation bags canbe replaced without disposing other components of the attachment system.Various components of the attachment system such as the valve and thecoupling can be easily re-assembled with a replacement inhalation bagand have a reduced replacement cost.

Further, the attachment system described herein can be made of soft andelastic materials such as silicone, which can allow for engagement andfit with various sizes of vapor sources, such as various vaporizer bowloutlets. The attachment systems can be stretched to fit with a vaporsource that has an opening larger than the opening of the attachmentsystem. The stretched silicone material can seal tightly around theopening of the vapor source and substantially reduce the likelihood ofvapor leaking near the attached portion.

FIGS. 15A-15D are various views of a bowl 250 configured to magneticallyattach to a vaporizer. Bowl 250 can be substantially similar to bowl 50described elsewhere herein (FIGS. 1B, 1C, 6A, 6B). Bowl 250 can includea first bowl magnetic attachment portion 251 configured to magneticallyattach to a corresponding vaporizer magnetic portion 258 of thevaporizer. Magnetic portion 251 can be any portion of bowl 250 suitableto magnetically engage with the vaporizer magnetic portion 258. Magneticportion 251 can comprise materials and be configured similarly as themagnetic portion 253 of attachment system 200 (FIG. 14A). In theillustrated embodiment, bowl magnetic portion 251 comprises a ringsupported on a flange 252 at the lower end of bowl 250. The vaporizerportion 258 can include any portion of a vaporizer suitable tomagnetically engage with the bowl portion 251, such as flanges 89, orportions of bowl receptacle 85, as described with respect to vaporizer10 (for example, FIG. 1C). Referring to FIGS. 15A-15B, the bowl 250 caninclude a bowl cap 256 with a bowl fitting 59 a suitable for attachmentto an inhalation tube 82 (for example, FIG. 8) or to inhalation bag 84(for example, FIGS. 7A, 14E), or bag attachment system 200 (for example,FIGS. 14A-14E; 16A-16D). The bowl cap 256 can include a magnetic portion254 to magnetically couple the bowl 250 with a corresponding magneticportion on an inhalation tube, inhalation bag, or bag attachment system.For example, the bowl magnetic portion 254 can magnetically couple bowl250 (for example, fitting 59 a) with a corresponding magnetic portion253 on bag attachment system 200 (FIG. 14D). Bowl 200 can include a base263 configured to engage with the cap 256 and form an inner volume forreceiving vaporizable therapeutic material. Bowl 200 can include a bowlsleeve 260, generally comprising a metal material, configured to beinserted into the volume formed within base 263 and cap 256. Sleeve 260can comprise one or more components, such as a bowl sleeve base and bowlsleeve cap. A first bowl screen 259 can be positioned within a lowerportion of sleeve 260, to support vaporizable material, and a secondbowl screen 264 can be provided as a filter to remove any particlescarried in the vapor that are flowing out of the bowl.

The bowl 250 can include one or more handling portions, such as handlingportions 261 and 265, configured to surround and provide ease ofhandling of cap 256 and base 253, respectively. Handling portions 261and 265 can comprise a thermally insulating material, to reduce theexternal temperature of the bowl 200, for comfort to a user and toprovide a cooling grip to prevent injury at higher bowl/vaporizationtemperatures. Handling portion 261

The bowl can also include a magnetic portion 251, positioned, forexample, on the lower portion for attaching the bowl to the vaporizerthrough magnetic attraction. Referring to FIGS. 15C and 15D, when thebowl 250 is moved to be in proximity to the vaporizer 10, the magneticattraction between magnetic portion 251 of the bowl 250 and the magneticportion 253 of the vaporizer 10 moves the bowl 250 into position andholds it until the two are separated from each other. The magneticportions described above can facilitate attachment of the bowl 250 tothe vaporizer 10, which can be of benefit to people with dexterityissues or reduced physical capacity, such as Parkinson's disease, or theelderly.

Parts of the bowl 250 that are in contact with the therapeutic vapor,including the bowl housing, bowl screen, bowl sleeve and the bowl caphousing, can be made of heat-resistant materials. In some embodiments,the bowl comprise a materials resistant to (for example, capable ofwithstanding without significant degradation in performance) atemperature of at least approximately 260° C. In some embodiments, thebowl comprise a material resistant to a temperature of approximately260° C. or less. In some embodiments, the bowl is made of materialsselected from the group consisting of silicone rubber, aluminum oxideceramic, borosilicate glass, and stainless steel metal In someembodiments, at least a part of the bowl is made of stainless steel. Insome embodiments, at least a part of the bowl is made of aluminum oxideceramic. In some embodiments, at least a part of the bowl is made ofborosilicate glass.

Parts of the bowl that are in contact with the therapeutic vapor,including bowl housing, bowl screen, bowl sleeve and the bowl caphousing, can be made of materials resistant to chemicals from vaporizedtherapeutic materials (for example, capable of contacting such vaporswithout significant degradation in performance). In some embodiments,the bowl comprises a material chemically resistant to a vapor formedfrom a vaporizable therapeutic material, such as those described above.

The magnetic portion 251 on the bowl can be made of magnetic material ormagnetically attractive materials that are heat resistant. The magneticportion 251 on the bowl can also be a coating layer made of magneticmaterial or magnetically attractive material. In some embodiments, themagnetic material or magnetically attractive material can be ferrousmaterials. Examples of the ferrous materials include but are not limitedto iron and steel. In some embodiments, the magnetic material ormagnetically attractive material can be rate earth materials withmagnetic properties. In some embodiments, the magnetic material ormagnetically attractive material can be ceramic, neodymium or samariumcobalt.

As described above, the aforementioned portions 251, 252, 253, and/or254 of bowl 250, vaporizer 10, or attachment system 200 can comprise amagnet, or a magnetic material, provided each paired combinationincludes at least one magnet. Any of a number of different magneticmaterials can be used, such as magnetic SST. Some embodiments includemagnetic materials suitable for higher temperatures, such as ceramic orneodymium. Surface preparation such as powder bake paint or ruggedizedpolymer coating may be applied to increase durability. The amount of themagnetic attraction force between the magnetic portion 253 of the bodyand the corresponding magnetic portion 253 on the bowl can be tailoredso as to work in cooperation with other parts of the therapeuticvaporizer. For instance, the magnetic force between the bowl and thevaporizer may be greater than that between the attachment force betweenother accessories, such as between the inhalation tube 82 and the bowl,the attachment system 200 and the bowl, or the mouthpiece 82 b and theconduit 82 a of the inhalation tube 82 (see also FIG. 8), so that thebowl stays attached to the vaporizer when these other accessories aremagnetically decoupled. For example, when the magnetic portion 253 ofthe body 201 of the attachment systems 200 is connected to the bowl 250and the magnetic portion of the body is magnetically attracted to thecorresponding magnetic portion 254 on the bowl cap, the magnetic forcebetween the magnetic portion 253 of the body and the correspondingportion 254 on the bowl cap can be smaller than the removal force of thebowl magnetic attachment portion 251 and the corresponding vaporizermagnetic portion 252 of the vaporizer. Therefore, when the attachmentsystem is removed from the bowl cap, the bowl 250 can stay in place.

FIGS. 16A-16D are various views of attachment system 200. Attachmentsystem 200 can optionally include the valve 210 (FIGS. 14A-14C). System200 can include a connector 294 that includes a bag magnetic portion 253configured to magnetically attach to a corresponding second bowlmagnetic portion 254 on bowl 250 (FIGS. 15A-15B). Bag magnetic portion253 can be any of a number of shapes, such as an annular ring supportedwithin a flange at the lower end of connector 294. In some embodiments,an inner shell 255 within bowl 250 can comprise a material suitable formagnetic engagement with bag magnetic portion 253 and/or vaporizermagnetic portion 252. Referring to FIGS. 16A-16C, when the attachmentsystem 200 is moved to be in proximity to the bowl 250, the magneticattraction between the portion 254 of bowl 250 and portion 253 ofconnector 294 moves the system 200 into position and holds it until thetwo are separated from each other. The magnetic portions described abovecan facilitate attachment of the bowl 250 to the bag, through theattachment system 200, which can be of benefit to people with dexterityissues, such as Parkinson's disease, or the elderly.

FIGS. 17A-17D are various views of an upper tray 300 for a vaporizer.Upper tray 300 can be employed within vaporizer 10. Additional,unnumbered views of the upper tray 300 are shown in the design patentfiled concurrently herewith. Upper tray 300 can be movable between aclosed position, in which it is engaged within upper housing portion 62of vaporizer 10 (see also FIGS. 1A-1C), and an open position, in which auser can access the top of upper tray 300 to remove or secureaccessories. For example, vials containing herbs, a container containingan inhalation bag, or other accessories can be secured on upper tray300, and hidden from view when upper housing portion 62 is opened. Thisprovides both an aesthetic advantage, and can help secure accessorieswithin vaporizer 10. The upper tray 300 can include one or more clips,clamps, or other suitable engagement mechanisms 310 to secure suchaccessories on upper tray 300. Upper tray 300 can include a shield 320to shield, isolate, or seal the interior of tray 300 from the mezzanine90, and bowl 50 (FIGS. 1B-1C). The tray 300 can be an integral orremovable part of the vaporizer 10. The tray 300 can include any of anumber of attachment mechanisms to allow attachment to the remainder ofvaporizer 10. Tray 300 can be removably attached to vaporizer 10 throughone or more latches. Tray 300 can be pivotally attached to vaporizer 10,similar to the attachment described herein with respect to upper housingportion 62. Referring to FIGS. 17A and 17B, in some embodiments, uppertray 300 can include a hinge 330 with a raised protrusion 331 configuredto engage and latch upper tray 300 with a corresponding portion of upperhousing 62, lower housing 64, mezzanine 90, or another portion ofvaporizer 10. Protrusion 331 can be positioned on a movable arm 332 toprovide additional bias between protrusion 331 against anothercomponent. Referring to FIG. 17D, tray 300 can include a latch 340configured to attach tray 300 to upper housing 62. It will be understoodthat some features of tray 300, and other components of vaporizer 10 arefor aesthetic purposes, utilitarian purposes, or both.

In some embodiments, a method of using energy pulses to control ahalogen bulb in a heating application within a vaporizer can beemployed. Halogen bulbs have traditionally been used in lightingapplications where they are turned on and left on continuously. Halogenbulbs may pose reduced reliability when not used in this intendedmanner. However, halogen bulbs possess a faster dynamic response thanmany other heating systems, and can thus provide improved control oftemperature for an application where precise and accurate temperaturecontrol is required. In some embodiments, a method of controlling ahalogen bulb in a vaporizer uses series and bursts of energy pulses ofcontrolled amplitude, profile, and duration that result in precisetemperature control and rapid response. This method may be tailored toimprove the reliability and/or life of the halogen bulb.

FIG. 18 is an example of a flow diagram illustrating a method of usingan inhalation bag attachment system for a therapeutic vaporizer. Themethod 1800 can include placing an inhalation bag attachment system influid communication with an outlet of a therapeutic vaporizer at block1810. At block 1820, the method can include forming a therapeutic vaporby heating therapeutic materials within the therapeutic vaporizer. Themethod can also include flowing the therapeutic vapor through the outletinto the inhalation bag attachment system in a first direction at block1830. The method can further include removing the inhalation bagattachment system from the outlet at block 1840. Removing the inhalationbag attachment system can include substantially preventing flow throughan opening of the inhalation bag attachment system in a second, opposeddirection with a duck-bill valve.

In some embodiments, placing the inhalation bag attachment system influid communication with the outlet of the therapeutic vaporizercomprises inserting a protrusion into the valve to open the valve. Insome embodiments, removing comprises disengaging the protrusion from thevalve to close the valve. In some embodiments, inserting the protrusioncomprises engaging the protrusion with a lip seal extending from aninner wall into an inner lumen of the valve.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises applying a transverseforce to the valve to open the valve and allow flow through the valve inboth the first and second directions; and

removing the force from the valve to automatically close the valve toprevent flow through the valve in the second direction.

In some embodiments, placing the inhalation bag attachment system influid communication with the outlet of the vaporizer comprisesmagnetically coupling the opening of the inhalation bag attachmentsystem with the outlet of the vaporizer.

In some embodiments, flowing vapor through the outlet comprises flowingvapor through an outlet of a vaporizer bowl, further comprisingmagnetically coupling the bowl with the vaporizer.

In some embodiments, flowing the therapeutic vapor through the outletinto the inhalation bag attachment system comprises filling aninhalation bag with a capacity between approximately ⅓ to 2 times thetotal average lung capacity of an adult human

In some embodiments, flowing the therapeutic vapor through the outletinto the inhalation bag attachment system comprises flowing atherapeutic vapor at a temperature of at least approximately 120° C.

In some embodiments, flowing the therapeutic vapor through the outletinto the inhalation bag attachment system comprises flowing atherapeutic vapor at a temperature of approximately 300° C. or less.

In some embodiments, the method of using an inhalation bag attachmentsystem can further include attaching the valve to the opening of theinhalation bag, wherein attaching comprises: engaging an inner bagcollar with an outer bag collar, with the bag opening positioned betweenthe two collars to allow fluid communication from the bag openingthrough the two collars; and engaging the two collars with a body,wherein the valve is positioned within a lumen of the body.

In some embodiments, engaging the two collars with the body comprisesinserting the body into the two collars.

In some embodiments, forming a therapeutic vapor comprises controllingthe activation and deactivation of a heater of the vaporizer with apulse-width modulated signal. Embodiments of the vaporizer describedherein can allow aromatherapy and vapor therapy to be provided throughthe same device. In some embodiments, a segregated aromatherapy air-flowpath and vaporization hot-air path can be provided within the samevaporizer, with the benefit of independent usage, either simultaneously,or separately (for example, in series).

Some embodiments relate to kits and products comprising one or more ofthe materials or components described herein. For example, the kits orproducts can include any of the devices (for example, vaporizers,controllers, heating components, etc., materials that are to bevaporized and/or heated for aroma, etc. Some embodiments relate to kitsthat can include for example, a bowl or support tray and a material thatis to be vaporized or used to produce aroma, for example. In someaspects, any of the devices, components and materials described hereincan be expressly excluded from certain embodiments. In other aspects oneor more of the devices, components and/or materials described herein canbe combined in different combinations, for example, any combination.While the word “therapeutic” is used herein, the application of thedevices should not be limited to only strict therapeutic materials, butthe methods can apply to any material that is sought to be vaporized orprocessed to create an aroma, regardless of whether the vapor or aromastrictly are therapeutic in the medical or healthcare sense. Forexample, the devices can be used to create pleasant aromas and vaporsthat are aesthetic or for ambience, rather than strictly for atherapeutic medical purpose.

Conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or“may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understoodwithin the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certainembodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certainfeatures, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is notgenerally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are inany way required for one or more embodiments. In addition, reference to“one embodiment,” “another embodiment,” etc. is not generally intendedto imply that embodiments described herein are separate and distinct,and/or mutually exclusive of one another. Thus, embodiments describedherein may contain common elements, features and/or steps.

Those of skill would further appreciate that the various illustrativedevices, methods, controllers, user interface or inputs, logical blocks,modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection with theembodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware,computer software, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate thisinterchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrativecomponents, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been describedabove generally in terms of their functionality. Whether suchfunctionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon theparticular application and design constraints imposed on the overallsystem. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality invarying ways for each particular application, but such implementationdecisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from thescope of the present disclosure.

The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits describedin connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implementedor performed with a general purpose processor, a digital signalprocessor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), afield programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device,discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or anycombination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein.A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in thealternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, microchip,controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also beimplemented as a combination of computing devices, for example, acombination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality ofmicroprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSPcore, or any other such configuration.

In one or more example embodiments, the functions described may beimplemented in hardware, software, or firmware executed on a processor,or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functionsmay be stored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or codeon a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes bothcomputer storage media and communication media including any medium thatfacilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. Astorage media may be any available media that can be accessed by acomputer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readablemedia can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical diskstorage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or anyother medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code inthe form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed bya computer. Also, any connection is properly termed a computer-readablemedium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website,server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable,twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologiessuch as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiberoptic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such asinfrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of medium.Disk and disc, as used herein, includes compact disc (CD), laser disc,optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray discwhere disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproducedata optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also beincluded within the scope of computer-readable media.

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singularterms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from theplural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as isappropriate to the context and/or application. The varioussingular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sakeof clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, termsused herein, and especially in the appended claims (for example, bodiesof the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (forexample, the term “including” should be interpreted as “including butnot limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having atleast,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but isnot limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those withinthe art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation isintended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and inthe absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example,as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may containusage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” tointroduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should notbe construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by theindefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containingsuch introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one suchrecitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases“one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or“an” (for example, “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted tomean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the useof definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition,even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation isexplicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that suchrecitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recitednumber (for example, the bare recitation of “two recitations,” withoutother modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two ormore recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a conventionanalogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in generalsuch a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the artwould understand the convention (for example, “a system having at leastone of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems thathave A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, Band C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instanceswhere a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” isused, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one havingskill in the art would understand the convention (for example, “a systemhaving at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited tosystems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and Ctogether, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It willbe further understood by those within the art that virtually anydisjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms,whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood tocontemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either ofthe terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will beunderstood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

While the above description has pointed out novel features of theinvention as applied to various embodiments, the skilled person willunderstand that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in theform and details of the device or process illustrated may be madewithout departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, the scopeof the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than by theforegoing description. All variations coming within the meaning andrange of equivalency of the claims are embraced within their scope.

It will also be understood that although many of the embodiments hereindescribe the use of various components in combination to formembodiments of a therapeutic many of the components can be manufacturedand provided independently without other components. For example,embodiments of the heater, the inhalation bag, the inhalation tube, thebowl, the control system, sensor configuration, the gas analysis system,and any of the many other components described herein, or anycombination thereof, can be provided separately, as part of atherapeutic vaporizer, and/or as a kit. Thus, the invention is not to belimited otherwise.

What is claimed is:
 1. A therapeutic vaporizer inhalation bag attachmentsystem with an integrated valve, comprising: a body comprising a lumenextending between a first opening at a first end of the body and asecond opening at a second end of the body; a plurality of elongatedcooling ribs extending in parallel with the lumen on and along an outersurface of a sidewall of the body to increase surface area; a magneticattachment portion positioned on the first end of the body substantiallyperpendicular to the lumen; a ridge forming a circular perimeter andextending from an inner wall of the first end of the body and into thelumen; a bag coupling configured to attach an inhalation bag to thesecond end of the body; and a duck-bill valve positioned within thelumen and configured to move between a first position which allows flowof vapor through the lumen in a first direction extending from the firstopening to the second opening, and a second position which preventssubstantial flow of vapor through the lumen in a second direction fromthe second opening to the first opening, the valve comprising two flapsextending within the lumen inwardly from an inner sidewall of the body,wherein a distal end of the flaps form a seal to prevent the substantialflow of vapor in the second flow direction, wherein the body and valveare configured such that the distal ends of the flaps separate and movethe valve from the second position to the first position in response toan inwardly transverse force, and wherein the valve is configured tomove to the first position and allow flow in the second direction when aprotrusion is extended through the first opening and through the distalend of the flaps and automatically return to the second position whenthe protrusion is removed from the first opening.
 2. The attachmentsystem of claim 1, wherein the flaps extend from the inner sidewall ofthe body in the first direction at a non-orthogonal angle.
 3. Theattachment system of claim 2, wherein the angle is in the range ofapproximately 20 degrees to approximately 60 degrees.
 4. The attachmentsystem of claim 1, wherein the body includes a lip seal extending froman inner wall of the body into the lumen, the lip seal configured toengage with the protrusion when the protrusion is extended through thefirst opening.
 5. The attachment system of claim 1, wherein the body andvalve comprise a unitary structure and a common material.
 6. Theattachment system of claim 1, wherein the valve consists essentially ofthe two flaps.
 7. A therapeutic vaporizer comprising; the attachmentsystem of claim 1; a bowl having a bowl magnetic attachment portion; andthe inhalation bag; wherein the inhalation bag has a capacity betweenapproximately ⅓ to 2 times the total average lung capacity of an adulthuman.
 8. The therapeutic vaporizer of claim 7, wherein a portion of thebowl comprises the protrusion.
 9. The attachment system of claim 1,wherein the body and valve are configured such that the distal ends ofthe flaps separate and move the valve from the second position to thefirst position in response to an inwardly transverse force of betweenapproximately 0.5 pounds and 10 pounds.
 10. The attachment system ofclaim 1, wherein the attachment system does not include a spring. 11.The attachment system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the body andthe valve comprises a material resistant to temperatures in atemperature range of between 100° C. and 300° C.
 12. The attachmentsystem of claim 1, wherein at least one of the body and the valvecomprises a material resistant to temperatures in a temperature range ofat least 120° C.
 13. A therapeutic vaporizer inhalation bag attachmentsystem, comprising: a body consisting of a lumen extending between afirst opening at a first end of the body and a second opening at asecond end of the body, a plurality of elongated cooling ribs extendingin parallel with the lumen on and along an outer surface of a sidewallof the body to increase surface area; a mouthpiece and magneticattachment portion on the first end of the body; a ridge forming acircular perimeter and extending from an inner wall of the first end ofthe body and into the lumen; a bag coupling configured to attach aninhalation bag to the second end of the body; and a duck-bill valvepositioned within the lumen and formed from two flaps extending withinthe lumen inwardly from an inner sidewall of the body, wherein a distalend of the flaps form a seal to prevent the substantial flow of vapor inthe second flow direction, wherein the body and valve are configuredsuch that the distal ends of the flaps separate and move the valve fromthe second position to the first position in response to an inwardlytransverse force, and wherein the valve is configured to move to thefirst position and allow flow in the second direction when a protrusionis extended through the first opening and through the distal end of theflaps and automatically return to the second position when theprotrusion is removed from the first opening.